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Kinmundy Businesses (Early 1900's - around 1990's)

                         Kinmundy, Marion Co., Illinois

                (Note: Since there are so many images, these have been divided up into several books for the website. 

      Remember that you can also use CTRL-F to find a particular surname within these pictures when you are on the page.) 

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   We are looking for photos of people and/or places from around Kinmundy & Alma.  Can you help?

Or maybe you have stories or memories from the "Good Old Days"?  What do YOU remember?

        The Kinmundy Historical Society would be honored to preserve your memories and stories.  We also have the

equipment to scan (or copy) your photos so that they may be enjoyed now as well as for generations yet to come!

        We would love to hear from you!  For more information, please contact: 

   Dolores (Ford) Mobley – Dolores@ford-mobley.com

   208 Joan Dr.; Divernon, IL  62530; (217) 625-7527

            or

Gladys (Corrie) See – gsee49@yahoo.com

408 S. Washington St.; Kinmundy, IL 62854; (618) 547-7731

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(B-671) Kinmundy - East side of Madison Street looking north looking North

 (B-672) Kinmundy - West side of Madison Street looking north looking North

                  (B-539) Third Street at Railroad crossing

The corner of Madison & 2nd streets in Kinmundy looking south in 1907

                                         (B-70a) Looking north onto Madison Street at the

tand - 1933 (looking north)

(Picture was included in an article from the "Centralia Evening Sentinel" on Sept. 21, 1933.)

(B-563) Otis Tate – Ice Man – Oct. 17, 1909 (this was probably when he was living and working in Champaign, IL)

1928 Wagon Tag

(B-120 Downtown Kinmundy with Bertha Curry and Pauline Johnson

(B-121) Bus. Downtown Kinmundy looking north on Madison

(B-122) Bus. Downtown Kinmundy looking south and to the west side

Looking north along Madison St. (aka Main St) - 1946

 Bus. Downtown Kinmundy looking north on Madison. 

The "Midget Lunch" cafe on the right hand side of the photo, was ran by George Lambird. (His dad was Walter Lambird, who served as our night watchman for several years.)  The Olden Laundry mat would have been just to the north of that building eventually, and then Bargh's Cafe.

On the far left side of the photo is the First National Bank (on the corner of Madison & Third), then next to the north was "The Madison Theatre" ran by Carl Dunlap. (It is the business before the awning with the brick facade and a movie poster in the window.)   The hardware store was under the awning (that was the 2nd Grissom's Hardware location, the Garden Hardware, Garrison's Hardware, and then Gray's Hardware 1st location.

Madison Street (Main Street) looking north around 1977

Madison Street (Main Street) looking north (1978)

Third Street looking west around 1977 - Ritter's Car Wash, Post Office, and the old Pruett feed store

L

Looking northwest up Third Street around 1977.   Community Center, Kinmundy Library/Senior Center, 

old fire station, and old Christian Church

James O. Eagan driving tractor during Labor Day parade in front of old fire station, library/senior Citizen center/city hall, and the community center.

Kinmundy Police badge

Kinmundy Police badge

(B-618)  "These are two more of Hugh Spencer's photos showing an early reaper, and a steam threshing crew.

The people are not identified."    (“Kinmundy – Railway to Thruway (1857 – 1957”)

(B-614) "W.L. Green's steam engine for threshing on G.C. Doolen farm - 1920"  (“Kinmundy – Railway to Thruway (1857 – 1957”)

(B-615) "Cars were really rare when Pleasant Robnett started this garage shown above" (“Kinmundy – Railway to Thruway (1857 – 1957”)

P.F. ROBNETT, Kinmundy Ice Plant, Kinmundy Oil Co.: Mr. Pleasant ROBNETT may be termed the mechanical genius of our city. His play, when a boy, consisted of mostly playing mechanic. In March 1913, he erected a small sheet iron building on the side of his father’s granary and there opened the Star Garage. His business grew to such an extent that he soon added more to his little building. And still it grew and in the fall of 1916, he tore down the iron building and erected a fine tile one, which now adorns this corner. The next year he served in the World War as a mechanic. After returning home, he conceived the idea that Kinmundy should have an ice plant, and so in the fall and winter of 1921-22, he built one, erecting his own building, making his coils, tanks and cans, fitting his pipes, etc. He soon had his plant in operation and pulled his first ice on May 1. He not only supplies Kinmundy, but also Farina, St. Peter and Alma. And then he conceived the idea that a bulk oil business would be profitable and in 1923 erected his first bulk tank for gasoline. The following year a tank was erected for kerosene. He now has a capacity of 16,000 gallons of gasoline, as well as handling bulk motor oil. When the hard road was completed thru this city, Mr. ROBNETT selected one of the best locations and erected a modern filling station, known as the White Star Super Service Station. A few years ago, he gave up his garage business and leased his building, devoting all of his time to the ice and oil business. A few years ago, while business was slack and in order to give his employees work during the winter months, he cut logs from his timber, hauled them to the mill and had them sawed. He then purchased the mill and erected a beautiful little cottage, doing all the work himself, with the aid of his 2 employees. Pleasant F., son of Noah J. and Lillie CHALFANT ROBNETT, was born near Kinmundy, Ill. Sept. 15, 1891. On June 23, 1925, he was married to Miss Lura WILLIAMS, of this city. They have 4 children: Pleasant, James, Zola, and Helen. Mr. ROBNETT is a member of the city council, of the Illinois Marketers’ Association, and of the American Legion. He has also taken a likening to fishing, camping, and hunting.  ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

(B-618) "You see two of the early cars, an Allen and a Dort, for which he had the agency, and the garage has grown considerably.  Some visitors are shown with Noah,

Pleasant, Miss Ann, and Mrs. Robnett.  Behind the Allen you can see the stock barn that used to be there."  (“Kinmundy – Railway to Thruway (1857 – 1957”)

                                                                                   (B-568) First Kinmundy Ice Truck

Carl Pruett in front of the old Robnett Ice Plant

Kinmundy Oil Company - 1960

Kinmundy Oil Company - 1963

VIG Fertilizer - 1960

VIG Fertilizer -  1963

Kinmundy Oil Company and VIG Fertilizer Co., Ind. - 1966 (P.H. "Bud" Robnett - manager)

VIG Fertilizer Company, Kinmundy Oil Company, and Robnett Sunoco Station - 1974 (P.H. "Bud" Robnett - owner)

VIG Fertilizer - 1980

VIG Fertilizer - 1982

O.I. Leach - Cargill Hybrid Seed Corn dealer - 1961

Nature's Acres -  Ray Vandeveer, Sr. owner - 1961

Nature's Acres -  Ray Vandeveer, Sr. owner - 1965

Nature's Acres -  1984

                                                            (B-625) Corner of Madison and 3^rd street (facing north) - 1938

Aug. 11, 1921 - "The Kinmundy Express" - "Band Stand Dedicated. Despite The Big Day At Salem, A Good Crowd Was Present."  "Even though a good part of the people of Kinmundy and surrounding country were in Salem Tuesday to hear W.J. BRYAN, a good crowd was here in the evening enjoying the program rendered at the dedication of the new Band Stand.  D.F. NEATHERY gave the address of welcome.  Chas. F. PRUETT following with the dedication address, announcing to the public in his address that though the stand was erected by the business men for the band to entertain the public, it was to be used by all, for public speaking or any other worthy entertainment.  The male quartette gave some excellent selections.  An instrumental duet was given by W.S. PRUETT and W.E. MORRIS on their saxaphone and trombone.  One of the entertaining numbers of the evening was the songs and jokes given by W.T. BOWMAN, who proved to the crowd that he was capable of holding the position that he does with large theatrical Companies of Chicago and New York, and on this occasion, the Kinmundy Band that is always there with the goods, seemed to excel all former evening entertainments.  The men who worked for the erection of the stand were highly pleased with the crowd that was here on the opening night, and extend an invitation to all to be here on each and every Tuesday evening and enjoy some good music that the boys are sure to give us."

(B-504) Keith Green, Calvin Barbee, Eugene Reese, Wydell Pigg marching by the old bandstand and the Illinois Central depot

"The Kinmundy Express" - Feb. 5, 1942 - "Flag Pole Gets a New Dress"

Jan. 13, 1944 – Zatso column – “It is a very unusual thing for us to print poetry.  We stay just as shy of it as we possibly can for more reasons than one.  But a few weeks ago, we received a neatly composed little ode which I layed aside for future use.  And so this week will be the future use of this said poem.  It was composed by Earl HENSLEY, of Chicago, who used to run the streets of our fair city when a lad, and I don’t know but what he did a little tooting also.  And he dedicated this to Mr. E.A. SNELLING, also of Chicago, but formerly of this city.  I know that Elroy used to do a little tooting in the old “Kinmundy Merchant’s Band.”  Anyway here is the little poem:

THE HOME TOWN BAND

I often think of the yesterday,

And the town where I was born,

Of the wonderful sound of drum and horn,

When the Home Town Band would play.

No ‘solid senders’ were they,

They knew not of ‘hot licks’ and ‘jive’,

On a quick-step march,

They’d come alive.

My! How that Old Band could play.

My ears are deft from blast and bray,

Of bands heard on the air,

Their awful noise cannot compare

With the music the Old Band would play.

And so I am filled with longing today

As I dream of days of yore.

Nothing on earth would please me more,

Than to hear the Old Band play.”

            And right now I am going to chime in with Earl with those very last lines.  In fact, I don’t think of anything right now that I would rather do than listen to a good band play some of those good old marches or waltzes.

            Going back to this band that Earl has reference to, the Kinmundy Merchants Band.  I can just barely remember hearing that band play when I was a wee lad just out of diapers.  And a picture of that band still adorns the wall in the home of mother and dad.  You see, my dad was a member of that band as well as uncle Ellis and uncle Herschel.  And E.A. SNELLING was the director.  Other members were: E.R. HENSLEY (Earl’s brother), J.H. NELMS, W.D. REYNOLDS, F.W. KILLIE, J.B. BRENNER, Eldo WAINSCOTT, F.S. SONGER, Homer FOSTER, Paul SANDHOFER, Chas. WHITE, Orville FOSTER, O.N. TYNER, B. BRUCE, and J.B. GARNER.

            You will note that this band consisted of 20 pieces and a mighty fine band it was, too.  It was noted for miles around and made several trips to other towns to play for celebrations of different kinds.  However, it is interesting to note that six members of this band are still alive today and going strong.

            I think I am safe in saying that there were bands in Kinmundy before this one and I know there were after this one.  If I remember right, this band held sway along about the beginning of the twentieth century.  Then as members would drop out, others would step in and take their places.  And Kinmundy maintained a band for a long time.  Finally the fad sorta died out but was again revived a few over 20 years ago.  And the band stand was built on the square so a concert could be given once a week.

            Finally, band concert night came along one week.  The streets were thronged with people awaiting to hear the music.  Time came for the concert to start but the base drummer was not present.  Strict search and due inquiry was made and it was found that he had imbibed just a little to heavy of some fire-water that was floating around and he was in no shape to perform.  I just happened to be standing around close to get my ears full of that good music and someone insisted that I beat the drum.

            Gosh! I had never beaten a drum before.  But an emergency had arisen.  If finally consented providing someone would give me some kind of a cue when I was to smack it.  John NELMS was playing the tuba and he consented to do this.  He sat right in front of me and every time he patted his foot, I smacked the drum.  It was really marvelous the way I performed that evening.  Anyway, after that it fell my lot to get the music out of the bass drum.  This musta kept up for about a year until I busted my lip and had to give it up.

I feel just like Earl did when he composed this little epiece of poetry.  You very seldom hear one of these good old bands anymore, unless you are around an army post somewhere.  It was my pleasure just a few weeks ago to hear the M.P. Band from Mt. Vernon play and see them march and it did my heart good.  Of course, we have the school bands today, but their music isn’t quite as touching as the old bands used to be.  Maybe it’s because there aren’t as many sour notes as we used to have….”. 

 "The Kinmundy Express" - Jan. 20, 1944 – Zatso column – “First of all I want you to know that we left the names of two of the band members out last week when we were saying something about the Old Kinmundy Merchants Band.  Those two gentlemen were G.W. SNELLING and Bill REYNOLDS.  It was merely an accident.  Those two names were on one line and the line didn’t happen to cast and we missed them when we read proof.   And I heard of several more old band members but they just didn’t happen to be in this particular band that I was talking about.  I couldn’t get the full list of different bands that have come up throught the ages and so I couldn’t mention them.

“The Kinmundy Express” – March 1, 1956 - “Zatso” column by J.N. VALLOW -  "In driving through the business block, I hardly know whether or not I am on the street where I want to be.  A couple of old landmarks are missing.

The bandstand which stood on the square, as well as the fire bell, has been torn down, both having outlived their usefulness.  There is nothing left except a slab of concreate which covers a well, the flag pole, which is useless, and an electric light pole.

The bandstand had deteriorated through neglect.  But why should anyone waste any time or money on fixing it up because no one ever used it any more.  As well as I remember it was erected in 1920.  And it was the pride and joy of the whole country side.  Yes sir, each and every week, on Wednesday nights, as long as the weather permitted a concert was given and you just couldn’t find parking space anywhere close to the stand.  Many times, people would bring their car to town in the afternoon and park it close to the bandstand so they could have a good seat for the concert that evening.

There was something about that band that really fascinated me.  They always practiced on Monday nights in the City Hall.  I was generally there to listen to them practice.  Occasionally, Charles BEAVER, the bass drummer, failed to show up because of various reasons, and finally because of ill health, and I was induced to beat time for the boys on the bass drum.  In due time, it became my instrument to manhandle.  If I dragged the time a little, which was generally the case, John NELMS or W.W. NEIL was right in front of me and would begin stomping time with their foot.  I would pick it up and carry on.

Gosh, I don’t know if I can remember all the fellows who played in the band or not.  Emmitt NELMS beat the snare drum right beside me.  We were the two youngest members until Pewee ALEXANDER brought in his trombone.  Charles WENCHS, of Farina, was the leader.  Then there were Orlando and Ora SCHWABE, Casey SANDERS, Web LOWE, George SNELLING, Ed HENSLEY and his two sons, John and Chester, when they were here, John NELMS and W.W. NEIL, which I mentioned before, Buck MILLER, and Arno played some too, I believe.  If my mind serves me right, Fred KILLIE was with us, too.

Now we were not only a concert band but we were a marching band as well.  When the soldier boys who gave their lives in World War I, were brought back, the band had to March in the funeral procession.  And I carried the big bass drum.  It wasn’t so bad at times and it was bad at times.  I well remember marching from the SPENCER home south of town to the cemetery.  Chick NEAVILLE was driving the team hitched to the hearse.  It was a rather spirited team and I will always think he let them have their head just to see that band go in a dog trot.  I don’t mind telling you that band was tuckered out when they got to the cemetery.

Oh yes, for this band concert each week, the merchants would each donate 25 cents a week.  The band paid Mr. WENCHA $2.50 per week for his two trips from Farina, and then bought a little music with what was left. No other member of the band was paid.  The band concerts died out when some of the merchants began to kick on giving the two-bits per week.  They just couldn’t see where it paid them.

After the concerts quit, the bandstand was used for various things.  It was a favorite place to conduct a drawing of any kind.  There was plenty of room for the people to stand.  And I have seen that old square packed and jammed many a time for the likes of this.

Then it was ideal for the judging on Halloween.  The masqueraders marched up and down the street and had a lot of fun.  Then the activities centered at the band stand where the prizes were given.  Then when the younger generation came along, it was found they had much weaker constitutions.  So for the past several years, this affair has been held indoors.  And for the past several years, nothing has taken place in the old band stand.

A few expressed themselves as not wanting to take down the old fire bell just in case the electric siren failed to work.  But they didn’t have a leg to stand on.  The old bell hasn’t been used for so long that we are satisfied there wouldn’t be over 25% of the city’s population know what it was if they heard it.  Then I think the chain extending to the clapper has been gone for a long time.

           Yes, I can remember when the sound of that bell sent shivers up and down a person’s spine too.  It was a very hard bell to ring.  It took mighty long arms and that was a heavy chain, too.  No one, except those who have ever had experience, knows exactly what I am talking about.  I got rung in on this job many times.  In case of fire, you always called “central”.  Then Margaret FRENCH or Carrie ROSS would call Pete CONANT’s News Stand, which was only a few feet from the bell.  I was generally loafing there.

Then back of those days maybe a little, I can still see Charles WHITE and Del EAGAN racing their teams to the fire station when that bell sounded.  They were both draymen, and the owner of the team pulling the fire engine was awarded $1.00 by the City Council.  If neither team got to the station in a very short time, the engine was pulled by hand.  The buildings generally burned but we had a good time with the fire engine anyway. 

Maybe this is enough for this week.  See you again next week.”

(B-626) ?Old Feed store at the corner of Third and Monroe Street 

Snelling Motor Co.

(B-537) “Snelling’s grandson, Wilford, went west to become a crane operator, but finally decided life as a bit more relaxed at the old garage

where he could work as a mechanic.  Here, in the early 1920’s, Wilford (in leather puttees) greets his welcoming committee – fresh from

Pueblo in a shiny new Buick.  The only other person identified is Harvey Brown, far right.  Snelling’s Garage stood on the present

Site of the post office.”

SNELLING Motor Company, Chevrolet Cars and Parts: The SNELLING Motor Co. was established Feb. 1, 1925, by George W. SNELLING and his son, Wilford G. SNELLING. The building was first purchased and repaired to be a first class garage. As business progressed, a work room was added. This was necessary because at that time they were selling a good many Chevrolet cars, and needed a large store room. They were distributors and had many agents under them. Then after 4 years, gave up the distributor contract and took out an agents’ contract. And then after a few years, they took on the agency for Crosley Radios, and they have sold a good number of these. In Oct., 1931, the senior member of the firm passed away, leaving the son to carry on. Wilford G., son of George W. and Emma SHADER SNELLING, was born in Kinmundy on Sept. 1, 1889. After spending his youthful days here, he went to Granite City, where he became a steam engineer. But after a few years, he found his health failing, and went to the west, settling in Colorado, where he followed the same trade. He later became chief engineer of the ice plant in Pueblo. Leaving Pueblo, he wandered down to Old Mexico, soon to return to Pueblo and accept a position in a garage. This line of work seemed to appeal to him and he soon became the owner of one of the finest garages in Pueblo. He then came back to Kinmundy to visit his parents and has been here ever since. On Nov. 12, 1931 he married Miss Alta SUTTON of this city. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Baptist Church. Yes, he has quite a hobby. He is death on quail and from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 of each year, you will seldom find him at his place of business. Mr. SNELLING holds the record for being the heaviest man in business, but that is not drawback, because everybody loves a fat man. He is always jolly and you will always find him ready to do his part in the interest of the community. ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

(B-545) E.O. Zimmer, Margaret Gramley,  Frank Helm - 1921

                                                                       (B-532) Doolen’s Grocery Store  - Bill and Ruth Doolen on right.  Elwyn Cheatum standing on left.

(B-603) Bud Dyer in front of Bill & Ruth Doolen's Grocery Store (located south of Bargh's Drug Store on the corner)

                                                                                                      (B-575) Ira Morris Grocery

Ira C. MORRIS, Groceries, Meats, Dry Goods: This firm was established in 1925. It succeeded the firm of MORRIS & HELM, R.J. ANDREWS, and C. GRAY. Up until the year 1924, Mr. MORRIS had farmed all of his life, living on a farm near his old home place. He came to town and started to clerk for R.J. ANDREWS, his brother-in-law. Soon afterwards, Mr. ANDREWS being desirous of selling out, Mr. MORRIS formed a partnership with Mr. Frank HELM. Mr. HELM’s health soon failed him and Mr. MORRIS purchased his interest in the business. Since Mr. MORRIS came in full possession of the store, in addition to groceries and meats, he has added dry goods and the buying of cream. And Ira seems to enjoy a good burglar trade. His store has been broken into more times than any other place of business we know of. Ira is a big-hearted fellow, in fact, maybe a little bit too much for his own good, but he says that he just can’t see anyone go hungry. With the organization of the Red & White Stores, Mr. MORRIS put his store in this organization. Ira C., son of William and Elizabeth HOLT MORRIS, was born in Kinmundy twp., May 5, 1883. On Nov. 12, 1902, he was married to Miss Lewella LAMBORN of Kinmundy, and they have 2 children, Mrs. Vera BASSETT and Billie. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the M.E. Church. ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

(B-608) Mahan and Motch Grocery

MAHAN and MOTCH: For Good Things to Eat, Phone No. 9: A first class grocery store and meat market. This firm was established in 1921. The store, itself, was opened in about 1903 by F.W. KILLIE. Mr. KILLIE sold to Mr. J.R. MAHAN in 1919 and Mr. MAHAN formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. F.A. MOTCH in 1921. Up until this time, the store had sold only groceries, fruits and vegetables. But when the partnership was formed, the fresh meat business was purchased from Mr. C. GRAY. Business prospered for these 2 boys and new modern equipment was added from time to time until now they have a nice electric meat counter, an electric meat slicer, electric sausage grinder and an electric coffee grinder. J. Raymond, son of Charles W. and Jennie ROBB MAHAN, was born Nov. 4, 1892 in Kinmundy. Upon his completion of the local high school, he clerked in the store of F.W. KILLIE. While working here in 1908, he with others, autographed his name in the clock on the wall. That same clock still hangs on the wall and never fails to tell the boys when it is time to go to dinner. In about 1910, Mr. MAHAN accepted a position with WITWER Bros., as manager of their several stores. WITWER Bros. disposed of their stores in about 1915, and then Mr. MAHAN became a traveling grocery salesman. The war came on and he answered the call, and by the end of the war had attained a commission of Second Lieutenant. At the end of the war, he again became a traveling salesman, and worked at this until he went into business for himself. On Sept. 12, 1917 he married Miss Florence MOTCH of this city. The have 2 children, Maxine V. and Robert D. "Beak", as he is commonly called is a member of the Masonic Order, the Board of Education, and for the past 3 years has been Secretary-Treasurer of the Kinmundy Chamber of Commerce and a member of the American Legion. Forrest A., son of John and Sarah COZAD MOTCH, was born Nov. 19, 1893, near Kinmundy. After finishing school in our local schools, "Bud", as he’s familiarly called, clerked in the store of L.C. ROHRBOUGH. From this position, he went to the I.C.R.R. Signal Service, spending several years in the South. He served overseas in the World War and upon his return home, went to Akron, Ohio, where he was employed in a tire factory. He returned to Kinmundy in 1921, and after clerking for Mr. MAHAN a few months, purchased an interest in the business. On March 9, 1922, he married Miss Roumaine CRAYS of Dieterich, Ill. They have 2 children, Richard F. and John F. Bud is a member of the Masonic Order, a member of the Kinmundy Chamber of the Commerce, and a director of the Kinmundy Building and Loan Association, and a member of the American Legion. Both Mr. MAHAN and Mr. MOTCH are hunters and fishermen. Mr. MOTCH holds the belt among, the local quail hunters when it comes to shooting.  ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

"J.R. Mahan - Staple & Fancy Groceries" - Kinmundy, Ill.

Here is a bulk flour sifter from this store, just before it became "Mahan & Motch"

(Shared by Ronald Beard)

Mahan & Motch grocery store - dinner plate

(B-167a) Old Music Shop.  This old corner brick building stood on Glen White's vacant lot across from the new bank.  Wyett Williams lived upstairs for a time.  It was also used for a club during the 1950s, and was closed by the federal government due to the illegal sale of alcohol.

(B-168a) Another photo of the old music shop.

Vera (Hampsten) Johnston - carrying mail during WWII.

(B-594) J.N. Vallow and Cleta Branson at the presses of “The Kinmundy Express” - 1923

"The above picture was taken in 1923, in what we term, the "old" office, which stood a few feet to the north of our present location.

In the picture is the editor and Cleta Branson, who happened to be the only typesetter on duty that day.  She is holding a handful of type,

preparing to distribute it when she returns to her case.  To the right can be seen the newspaper press, which was replaced years later with a

larger one.  In the original picture can be seen the newspaper forms on the press.  You will note the editor in overalls which was because

he was the editor, business manager, printer, devil and janitor.  The only time he ever wore "dress up clothes" was on the first day of each

month when he went from door to door in the business district collecting and paying his bills."

(B-629) Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Vallow, owners of "The Kinmundy Express"

"The Kinmundy Express is celebrating it’s 50th birthday. It was established in 1883 and the first issue was printed Nov. 8th. There had been other papers printed in Kinmundy previous to this. We have copies of 2 other papers in our files, namely, The Kinmundy Telegram, which started in 1867, and The Kinmundy Register, which was started in 1878. The first editor of the Express was R.F. LAWSON, with Owen SCOTT as co-publisher. Mr. SCOTT was a resident of Effingham, publisher of the Effingham Democrat, a lawyer, and mayor of that city. He was with Mr. LAWSON for 11 weeks. Mr. LAWSON was born in Fayette Co., coming to Kinmundy when a small boy with his step-father and residing on a farm 3 miles northwest of this city. He worked on various papers before establishing the Express. He was appointed postmaster here in ‘89. He operated the Express until October 1893, when he sold it to N.H. LINGENFELTER, who was born in Albion, Ill. He was the son of a Methodist Minister. The father was sent here as pastor of the local church when Nelson was 5 years old. Their stay here was brief but after Nelson had graduated from McKendree College, he returned here, bringing his parents, and purchased the paper. He sold the paper in 1896, but followed the newspaper profession in other places. Both Mr. LAWSON and Mr. LINGENFELTER have passed away and are buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Mr. LINGENFELTER sold the Express to Mr. D.S. LORD. Very little is known of Mr. LORD, but we are told that he was formerly a station agent for the I.C.R.R. Mr. LORD sold the Express to P.L. SAPP and S.R. WOOLEY in Aug. 1898. These gentleman bought the paper more to carry on real estate promotions than anything else, ans sold it in November of the same year to Mr. F.O. GRISSOM who came here from Farina. Mr. GRISSOM operated it for 18 years, the longest of any editor. Another paper, The Journal, sprang up during his regime, but he purchased it and combined it with the Express, calling his publication The Express-Journal, and making a twice a week issue out of it. But business was not brisk enough for twice-a-week, so he discontinued the Journal. Mr. GRISSOM was burned out twice, in 1903 and 1904. Mr. GRISSOM, having been appointed postmaster, sold the Express in 1916 to Mr. G.A. SPITZE, who came here from Edwardsville, Ill. to teach in our local high school. Mr. SPITZE operated it until 1919 when he sold it to Mr. J. Lem BALLANCE. Mr. BALLANCE was a farmer and always said that he did not know anything about running a newspaper, but we think he made an excellent editor. Mr. BALLANCE sold it on Dec. 1, 1921, to its present owner and we are still here. In naming the different editors, it would be impossible for us to name all of the help that worked in the office at different times, but we have living here at the present time, 4 ladies who have stuck type for the Express at various times and they are Miss Ida RUTHERFORD, Miss Evelyn KILLIE, Mrs. Pearl SEXTON FISHER, and Mrs. Nellie NEAVILLE TROUT. The Express has had many homes. It was started in what was known as the EAGAN brick. Where it moved to from there, we have no record. The next place we find it located is upstairs in the room now occupied by B.J. ROTAN. From that it moved to the Masonic Temple Building and was burned in 1903. It was next located in a frame building, where T.M. SMITH’s barn now stands, and it was burned in 1904. Then it was located in the C.H. WEST residence property just east of the I.C. Depot. From there it was moved to the WETTER brick in 1917, and from there to it’s present home in 1925. In this issue we are giving you the news that appeared in the first edition of the Express. We are also giving you some of the most important items from the first volumes as it was printed in the first issue of the 10th volume. Our files are not complete, as the old files were destroyed in the fire of 1903. We have asked the business men to join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary with a history of their business as well as a life history of themselves. And in-as-much we have eulogized them, it would not be fair to them if we did not give you a little of our personal life. Jesse Norris, son of Charles H. and Etta RODE VALLOW, was born in Kinmundy in the east part of town on Sept. 25, 1899. When only a few months old, we were carried to the THRANE property in the west part of town, which we call our old homestead. In 1905, we moved to O’Fallon and there we gained our education in the grade schools. Returning to Kinmundy in 1914, we entered high school and graduated with the class of 1918. One winter, under the management of Mr. G.A. SPITZE, who was teaching school that winter along with his duties as editor, we were employed as office boy. Our duties were to sweep, make fires, help fold papers, and occasionally stick a little type. An expert printer was hired after a couple of months, and we were chosen as editor-in-chief for the new high school publication called the K.H.S. Tatler. After high school, we entered the employ of the firm of Telford and Wilkinson in the fall of ‘18. In the fall of ‘18, we thought we could gain an education at the expense of the government and so we entered the U. of I., but our finances ran out after 2 weeks time, and we were forced to quit, as it was reported that it would be 2 months before the students would be mustered in the regular army. The next spring and summer, we climbed telephone poles for Wm. B. ROSS, going to Chicago that fall where we were employed by the postoffice and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Didn’t like Chicago, so we returned home after 3 months. In January of the following year, Mr. BALLANCE bought this office, and we accepted a position with him. The same spring, we leased the Gem Theatre and operated it for about 1 year. In the fall of 1920, we took the examination for railway mail clerk, was appointed substitute clerk, and made several runs. We had advanced some and would have had to locate in Chicago. We did not like this idea and so we quit government served and stayed with Mr. BALLANCE at a lower salary. It was at this time that somebody lied. They told us that 2 could live cheaper than 1 and we believed them. On July 9, 1921 we married Miss Jessie BACKENSTO of this city. After going to housekeeping, we found that our bank account had dwindled to the sum of $60, and with the gracious help of the First National Bank, we embarked on our career Dec. 1, 1921, and have been at it ever since, trying our utmost to give you a publication that you will like. We have 3 robust children: J.Guin, G. Annette, and Carl B. And now to tell you a little about our help. We have 2 employees, Miss Marie O’Brien and Mr. Audrey VALLOW. Marie G., daughter of Daniel P. and Margaret ROONEY O’BRIEN, was born in this city on Dec. 10, 1904, and in this city, she has spent her entire life. She graduated from the local high school with the class of ‘22. Immediately after graduation, she entered the employ of the Kinmundy Express and has been with us ever since. She is a member of St. Philomena’s Catholic Church of this city. Audrey L. VALLOW, who happens to have the same parents as the editor, was born in Kinmundy Feb. 12, 1905. A part of his education was gained in the O’Fallon schools and the remainder in the local high school, graduating with the class of ‘22. Immediately after graduation, he entered the employ of the Kinmundy Express and with the exception of a short time spent in Detroit, Mich and in the west, he has been with us ever since. He also holds the office of Justice of the Peace, having held this office since he became of age. He’s always willing to do your marrying while you wait." ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

Carl B. Vallow's Press card for "The Kinmundy Express"

(B-627) Employees of “The Kinmundy Express”; Audrey Feather, Rudy Slane, Vera Johnston, J.N. Vallow - June 1970

"St. Louis Globe-Democrat" - by Kathy O'Dell

(B-585) Johnston Family Strawberry Shed – 1934

Left: Woodrow, Helen, Harvey (twins), behind them is brother, Merl and wife, Bertha; Right are parents, Grover and Jessie Johnston

Fulfer's Cafe - Rube & Leona Fulfer

A photo from possibly inside Fulfer's Restaurant in Kinmundy

(After Fulfer's burned in 1940, they did temporarily open in another location in Kinmundy.)

(B-597)  Kinmundy Fire -  Fulfers Restaurant Old Bank Building

Atlas Tire and Service Station, Standard Oil Products: The Atlas Tire and Service Station was built during the fall and winter of 1930, and opened to the public for service, Jan. 1, 1931. The firm then was E.E. BROWN and V.V. BARCROFT. Mr. BARCROFT later withdrew, and Jan. 1, 1933 Mr. BROWN became owner and manager. Mr. BROWN was well equipped for a business life having been with his father in the furniture, hardware, and implement business in Kinmundy, and having been identified with TELFORD and WILKINSON in their farm implement business in this city. He farmed for a few years then became interested in gas and oil, serving the farmers and local trade, and with the hard road bought the plot of ground on which he later erected the service station for the sale of Standard Oil products. The service station is modern and takes care of the traveling public in an up-to-date manner and serves them with the best gas and oil. Here you find Atlas tires and batteries, Red Crown gas, Super fuel, and other hot water heaters and other auto needs and accessories. Mr. BROWN, known among his friends as "Peck", takes grest pride in his business surroundings, and as his "middle name" is "Energy", he is always improving and beautifying them. The rustic bridge over the sunken garden, where flowers are blooming through all the summer and fall, and garden seats provided where the traveler may rest awhile. Mr. BROWN was born in Farina, Ill. June 8, 1894. His parents were Harvey A. and Arminda HOWELL BROWN. He was married to Miss Mildred GREEN August 8, 1914. Their daughters are Harriett, Virginia and Kathleen. Kinmundy is fortunate to have this energetic business man, ever ready to help out in any affair for the good of the town. ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

(B-560) E.E. "Peck" Brown's Standard Service Station that sat on Rt. 37 Curve / Louisville Road corner.

This was the original building before the addition was added. (It is looking south or east, depending on how you call it.)

(Information from John Day)

(B-557) E.E. "Peck" Brown's Standard Service Station that sat on Rt. 37 Curve / Louisville Road corner.

This was the original building before the addition was added. 

This photo looks to the south, and you can see the E.E. Brown house and garage in the background.

The little girl Kathleen (Brown) Day. (Information from John Day)

(B-558) E.E. "Peck" Brown's Standard Service Station that sat on Rt. 37 Curve / Louisville Road corner.

This was the original building before the addition was added and it is looking to the north. 

The little girl Kathleen (Brown) Day.  (Information from John Day)

(B-561) E.E. "Peck" Brown's Truck for the Standard Oil Company.  Harriet was the oldest daughter of Peck's, so the other girl may be Virginia or Harriet.

It was taken at the Bulk Plant across the Louisville Road from the station in front of the warehouse.  The loading rack isn't there - or at least it can't be seen, possibly because the tank trucks hadn't come along yet.

(Information from John Day)

E.E. Peck Brown's business - thermometer

(B-502) Atlas Tires – lcated in "Y" between Kinmundy/Louisville Rd. & Rt. 37 - E.E. "Peck" Brown was the owner;

             Peg Hickman and Kathleen (Brown) Day are pictured (circa 1942)

E.E. Brown Standard Service.  Pictured are Kenny Pigg and Kathy (Brown) Day

Atlas Tire and Service Station - Standard Oil Products - matchbook

D.C. Day Standard Oil Service - 1967

D.C. Day Standard Oil Service - 1968

D.C. Day Standard Oil Service - 1975

D.C. "Dite" Day - Standard Oil Company - pocket screwdriver

Day Oil Company  - 1984

Day Oil Company  - 1986

                                                 (B-540) Pete Keen and Wydell Pigg

Mary Eagan and Helen Garrett (Post Office and Bargh’s behind them)

                                            (B-535) Art Boyd and Pete Keen

(B-590) Dorothy (Crist) Black, Helen O'Dell, Donna (Burket) Krutsinger, Marilyn (Slane) Rinkel

              Doolen Cafe and Kinmundy Building & Loan Association in background

(B-601)  Everett Courson is in this photo. You can see directly behind him to the north is Doolen’s Electric

 (where many remember watching television from his front windows.) It's on the lot where the Pentecostal church now stands. 

Behind that is one of the old water tanks for the I.C. trains.
              (The camera is looking north).

The brick building on the left was a saloon in some of the earliest of years of Kinmundy. It became an electric shop (owned by Earl & Lorraine (Baylis) Doolen) where a TV was turned around in the window so people could watch the Cardinals ballgame in the 1940's. In later years, the beauty shops of Phyllis See and Shirley See Geiler. It also served an apartment for several thru the years for many people. 

On the right is the Pentecostal Church. Evalena (Krutsinger) Perry was the pastor that preached at the church for many years.

(B-602) Bill Burge standing on a streetlight in front of row of stores  (where Judy (Egelston) Mulvaney Tranum built a restaurant in the 1980’s). 

 The business at the far right was next to the alley and was Doc Miller’s office.

 (The photo is looking to the northeast)

O'Dell’s Car Wash (Lewis T. O'Dell - owner) - 1966

(Earlier uses for part of this structure was by Henry Hassebrock, E.E. "Shorty" Jahraus, and last by Mr. Rochat for his welding business.)

Thrifty Car Wash - 1967

Ritter’s Car Wash (Larry Ritter, owner) - 1977

Huston's Car Care Center - 1977

(B-621) "Mulvany’s Grocery & Filling Station" was located on the southeast corner of S. Eagan & Route 37 (in the area of what is now part of the Kinmundy Park just north of where the horseshoe pits are located.)

In 1946, Clarence Mulvany moved into town, and in 1948, he opened the station. (His wife, Ella (Boston) Mulvany had passed away prior to his move.) He continued to operate it until 1955 when his health no longer allowed him to run it, and it was sold. 

It was also the A & B Market which was ran by Art & Betty (Chance) Mulvaney for a bit.

Later, Charles and Constance "Connie" Myers purchased the business.  Connie was a war bride from England.

"Mulvany's Grocery and Filling Station" was located on the southeast corner of S. Eagan & Route 37 (in the area of what is now part of the Kinmundy Park., just north of where the horseshoe pits are now.) In 1946, Clarence Mulvany moved into town, and in 1948, he opened the station. (His wife, Ella (Boston) Mulvany had passed away prior to his move.) He continued to operate it until 1955 when Clarence's health no longer allowed him to.   For awhile Art & Betty (Chance) Mulvaney ran the little store & Sinclair gas station too. The pictures included came from their daughter Ella (Mulvaney) Campbell, who is the baby in the photos.

After this family, Charles & Constance Myers (?spelling) owned the business.

A memory shared by Gwen Reid was that: "a couple by the name of Charles and Connie Myers bought it and lived there until her death. Connie was from England and I loved to hear her talk. About 3 times a week they would get in their old van and drive out to our farm (Jerry and Dorothy McCarty) to get the cow's milk with the lovely cream on it and eggs, and the homemade butter we made! To her everything was lovely."

Becky (Hester) Jones shared this memory: "Constance was a war bride from England. I have so many fond, and colorful memories of them, our neighbors for several years (and their dog, Tweedy, with the high pedigree). Connie dressed up as Santa Claus, with a British "Ho Ho Ho". Tweedy with his own toothbrush, and telephone calls for me to let our mutt, "Freckles", to come over and play with him because he was depressed. Charles getting angry with Constance and I because we wouldn't sneak Tweedy into the hospital to see him. They were fun neighbors."

Janet (Middleton) Roberts had this memory: "When we mowed the park in the summertime Constance would bring us fresh lemonade so that we didn't dehydrate. She was a sweetie. Loved talking to her as a kid, learned a lot from just listening to her."

Betty (Chance) Mulvaney in front of the store and the A & B Market sign - ca1955

Ella (Mulvaney) Campbell playing by the Mulvany's Grocery / A & B Market.

You can see Ingram's Mill to the north in the far center of the photo too. - ca1955

Pepsi-Cola truck and driver Tiny Williams delivering to the Mulvany's Grocery / A & B. Market in Kinmundy - ca1955

Charles Torbeck delivering Hostess cake products to the Mulvany's Grocery / A & B. Market in Kinmundy - 1955

(B-542) Robnett's D-X Service Station. 

Robnett D-X Service Station receipt

(B-170) R & G Cafe (February 1947) owned by Howard and Pola Robb & Dick and Francis Gray.  Pictured are Dick Gray and Gladys Eagan.

"The Kinmundy Express" - July 4, 1946 - "Buys Cafe: Mr. and Mrs. Howard ROBB and Mr. and Mrs. Dick GRAY have purchased the Frank & Mary's Cafe from Mr. and Mrs. Frank SHELTON.  The assumed charge last week."

This was on the southwest end of Main Street (Madison Street) and just north of the old bank.  (Most recently, it was where Carolyn's Flower shop was located for several years.)    This business was owned by Howard ROBB & Pola (BAILEY) ROBB ATKINS DOOLEN and Dick GRAY & Frances (BAILEY) GRAY.

Frank & Mary's Cafe on Rt. 37.  After selling the Cafe on Madison Street in Kinmundy, Frank and Mary Shelton purchased the old Snelling Garage that sat on Rt. 37 for their Cafe in 1946.

(B-662) Fred Kleiss business card for DeKalb Products

 Kinmundy Shoe Outlet - 1962  -  Robert & Marie Johnson, owners  

(B-633) Kinmundy Shoe Outlet located at the corner of 4th Street & Route 37  - 1962

             Marie & Robert Johnson, owners                                                                     

Ice skating behind the school next to the railroad tracks.  There was a baseball field near this area a few years later.

                             (B-636) Roller Rink in Kinmundy Park - 1953                                                              (B-635) Roller Rink in Kinmundy Park

                            (B-530) Dixie Greyhound Lines, Inc.  – ticket from Kinmundy to Dix cost 50 cents

Forrest "Frosty" Jones in front of "Bake's Bakery".  This was later changed to "Zimmer's Cafe"

(B-665) Sammy Jones and Arlene Zimmer in front of Zimmer’s Café

E.O. ZIMMER, Refreshing Drinks, Candies, Tobaccos, Eats: ZIMMER’s Café was established in 1927 and succeeded A.H. WILLIS, who established the business in 1924. Mr. WILLIS operated a bakery in connection with the café. Ener O., son of David and Emma BINGAMAN ZIMMER, was born in Shelby Co., Ill. Dec. 1, 1891. He came to Kinmundy with his parents in 1901. The family settled on a farm southeast of this city, and here he grew to manhood. He drifted to Iowa, where he worked on a farm several years, and returned to Kinmundy in 1916, to help his father with the farm work. He served in the World War. After returning home, he accepted a position with the Farmer’s Store. After working as clerk for some time, he purchased a restaurant from the late Chas. BUSWELL. He operated it and then sold it, and in 1927 bought his present business. In April 1922, he married Miss Margaret FRENCH, and they have 1 daughter, Betty Arlene. He is a member of the American Legion.  ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

      (B-667) Zimmer’s Café – 1945 – Frances Kline, Velma Conant, Kathryn Bassett, Opal Eagan

Kinmundy Lumber, Inc. - 1971

Kinmundy Lumber Co. apron

Kinmundy Lumber Co. apron

Donnie McCarty & John Diss parked with their Triple D truck in front of the Kinmundy Lumber yard

Kinmundy Lumber Co. - 1973

Kinmundy Lumber Co. - 1977

                (B-600) Kinmundy Lumber Company                                  

                           (B-598) Kinmundy Lumber Company

The Kinmundy Lumber Company, Building Materials, Builders’ Hardware: The personnel of the Kinmundy Lumber Co., Inc. consists of C.A. GLORE, President; D.F. NEATHERY, Vice President and Treasurer; and Miss G. GERTNER, Secretary. Both Mr. GLORE and Miss NEATHERY are residents of Centralia, while Mr. NEATHERY belongs to us. Mr. GLORE has yards at Centralia, Sandoval, Patoka, and Alma. This firm was organized in 1921 and purchased the local lumber yard from the O.H. PADDOCK Lumber Co. Mr. NEATHERY was sent here by this company in 1920 to manage the yard for them. Soon after his arrival here, he found out this business was on the market. He immediately got busy and interested Mr. GLORE in the proposition and the above mentioned corporation resulted. In the past few years, they have added to their line of building materials, builders hardware and paints, coal. When they did this they leased ground from the I.C.R.R., erected a fine coal bin and installed an electric conveyor to unload the cars of coal. When they began business, their yard grounds were leased from the late A.V. SCHERMERHORN. A few years ago they purchased these grounds as well was another lot adjoining them from the south, from Mrs. Bessie WHITE. On the original grounds was what was known as the JONES Opera House, which was used as a warehouse. With the coming of the hard road, this old land mark was wrecked and a beautiful filling station was erected and leased to the Shell Petroleum Co. Several improvements in the way of new sheds have been added. The manager, Daniel F., son of John and Susan MERRIMAN NEATHERY, was born on a farm in Mulberry Grove twp., Bond Co., Ill. on May 11, 1869. After finishing school, he taught several terms of school in country and high schools and in college. He served his apprenticeship in the lumber business in Edinburg, then to Findlay, and then to Kinmundy. On Sept. 8, 1904, he married Miss Sarah M. TABOR of Alhambra, Ill. He is a member of the Masonic and K. of P. fraternities; the Baptist Church, the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association; the Illinois - Wisconsin Fuel Merchants, and past President of the Kinmundy Chamber of Commerce. Mr. NEATHERY is also interested in farming. He has half interest in the farm on which he was born, as well as half interest in another farm in Bond County. ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

Kinmundy Lumber Company sign

Kinmundy Lumber Co. - level

Kinmundy Lumber Yard booklet

(B-599) Slim-Ray Drilling Co (Oil rig Bill Cole & co-workers)

Mildred Atkins (B-642), Irene (Livesay) Gammon (B-641) and Dorothy “Dot” McCulley (B-640)  – switchboard operators at Bell Telephone office.

They are all standing in the front of the Bell Telephone office in Kinmundy.

(B-643) Lela Garrett Dunlap – worked 5 years in the 1930's as operator at Bell Telephone office

Bell Telephone Switchboard Operators: Joann Alexander (B-547), Helen (Robb) Garrett (B-546) , Helen (Bassett) O’Dell (B-548)

(B-549) Bell Telephone Switchboard Operator: Miss Thelma Lyons

(B-510) R.H. Schooley and Philip Schooley using new dial phone.

(B-649) Fred Kleiss; family dairy was called Sunny Slope Farm and was located about 3 miles south of Kinmundy along the Kinmundy Road.

             They milked, bottled and dleivered their product to area families.

(B-556) Gladys Bradley's Dress Shop – Frances Hiestand Smith, Nora Tutt Smith, ?Beverly Williams                  (B-555) Gladys Bradley - 1923

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Medical Center ground breaking - "The Kinmundy Express" - May 1, 1958

1959 - "The Kinmundy Express"

(B-631) Kinmundy Medical Building Dedication program - June 21, 1959

"The Kinmundy Express" - June 25, 1959 - "Dr. Lelan E. Stallings & Mr. A.H. Miller holding the plaque presented the Kinmundy Medical Building Association by the Sears Roebuck Foundation Sunday afternoon at the dedication of the medical building.  The plaque reads: "The Sears Roebuck Foundation is proud to cooperate with Kinmundy, Ill. in establishing this medical facility for the better helath of its people."

Plaque presented by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation to the town of Kinmundy for establishing the medical facility.

Their organization helped with providing a person to advise the town and provided the blueprints.

                                                     (B-630) Kinmundy Doctors office -  February 1960

"Dr. S.E. Rubio Signs Contract and Will Locate in Kinmundy in Early October"

"The Kinmundy Express" - Sept. 24, 1964

(Reprinted in "The Kinmundy Express" - June 29, 2000)

*Additional information from Ruby Shaffer to Dolores Ford Mobley on 4/30/2017:

It wasn't mentioned in the article, but the doctor would use the building rent free until he was established (and equipped.)

So it was several years before enough money was in the treasury to begin paying back the loans.

---

Dr. Dwight Hanna - Veterinarian

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Dunlap & Sons Tin Shop (before the remodel by Carl Dunlap) - 1946

(B-540) Albert C. Dunlap and Son - located at the corner of Second & Madison St. – 1952;

             This became the business of A.C's son, Carl Dunlap, in the 1950’s.

A.C. DUNLAP, Plumbing and Sheet Metal Work: The firm of A.C. DUNLAP was established in 1914. He was successor to his father-in-law, L.C. MATTHEWS, who died in 1913. Six years previous, Mr. DUNLAP was in the employ of Mr. MATTHEWS in the grass seed and implement business. They were pioneer buyers of red top seed. It was hauled here by the farmers from miles around. They, in turn, cleaned the seed and shipped it to market. Upon Mr. DUNLAP taking over the business, he discontinued the implement line and devoted his entire time to the seed business. During the dull months, he would repair stoves and do some plumbing and tin work. In 1924 and 1925, seed buyers sprung up everywhere, so it seemed which lessened the volume of business. And so in 1926, the seed business was discontinued, and he devoted his entire time to the repairing of stoves, plumbing and tin work. Albert C., son of Albert C. and Elizabeth CLAYTOR DUNLAP, was born March 18, 1884, at Savoy, Ill. On Oct. 21, 1906, he married Miss Hulda E. MATTHEWS of Kinmundy. They have 1 child, Albert Carl. Prior to his coming to Kinmundy, he worked as a mechanic in the Southern Illinois Railroad Shops in Houston, Texas, and prior to this, he was employed 10 years in the I.C. Shops in Champaign. For the past 9 years, he has been our local police magistrate. Prior to this he served on the City Council. Ever since we can remember he has been chief of the local fire department. His hobby is making over of antique furniture of which he has a fine collection. ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

According to Dorothy (Dunlap) Geiler, this was the original building in which the Matthews buggy business was located in, and was owned by her Grandpa Matthews.  Carl Dunlap remodeled his business in this building in 1951, and then asked Chris Jasper to move his shoe repair business (which was located just to the north and across the street from Dunlaps) to the middle of the Dunlap store.  That way Chris could watch the counter when Carl was out on a job.  The block building that Chris Jasper's business was located in was later Bill Doolen's Barber Shop.  Bill's business was also located in the building just north of Mahan and Motch.  Prior to this, it was many businesses, including Frank Green's blacksmith shop.  (An interior photo of that is below)

Frank Green's blacksmith shop (before 1910 until fall of 1924), E.L. Thomas Blacksmith shop (1924-1928), Chas. E. Conant's Feed, Eggs, Cream & Poultry shop (moved there in the summer of 1928), Chris Jasper's fix it shop (for several years prior to 1951), and after that Bill Doolen's Barber shop too.

Frank Green's blacksmith shop in about 1910. 

"The Kinmundy Express" - Oct. 17, 1963 - "Mayor F.O. GRISSOM turns on the gas for Kinmundy.  The gold wrench is his hand is hidden behind the valve in the picture.  He was presented the wrench after the ceremony."

"The Kinmundy Express" - Oct. 17, 1963 - "L.R. YOUNG, owner of the Kaskaskia Gas Co., turns on the gas at the Harvey HANNA home while Mr. and Mrs. HANNA look on.  He also used a gold wrench which was presented to him afterwards."

(B-551) Jim Davis, Cecil Harvey, Red Atkins, Clarence Alderson, Orus Leach, Harvey and Helen Hanna, Fred Grissom, L.R. Young – turning on gas

"The Kinmundy Express" - Oct. 17, 1963 - "Mayor GRISSOM thanks L.R. YOUNG for installing gas in Kinmundy.  The picture was taken in front of the Community Center.  The gas light, which burns day and night, was donated to the community, as well as the gas it uses, by Mr. YOUNG.  this will be known in the future as "Gas Light Square."

Doolen's Electric

(B-644) Brasel and O’Dell Standard Service Station   - 1961 (Owners - Jim Brasel & Kent O'Dell)

Brasel and O’Dell Standard Service Station   - 1962

Brasel and O’Dell Standard Service Station   - 1963

Mulvaney's Standard Station - 1965

Mulvaney's Standard Station - 1966

G & H Standard - 1973

Johnson's Standard - 1974

Johnson's Standard Service - 1978

Johnson's Standard Service - 1979

                               (B-645) Johnson’s Standard Service - 1987

Merle Jackson outside his Texaco Station. 

(Now this is the building that Dave White's Auto Sales is in.)

The Depot Garage.

(Later this was the Fire Station.)

Prior to the Fire Station it was a Poultry House, and a Cheese Factory too.

                (B-528) L.C. Diss and Sons Truck Service

(B-634) "Sinclair Oil" - Fred Gammon - 1941

(B-550) Larry Charlton with Salem Super Flame Fuel Oil - 1955-56

D & M. Trucking Service - 1965

"Post Offices" by Helen (Robb) Garrett

The first post offices were always in homes.  Kinmundy’s first one was in the home of William B. Eagan at 211 East Third Street, and Mr. Eagan was also our first postmaster.  He was postmaster from 07/14/1857 and served only until 06/18/1861.  At that time, the postmaster was a political appointment, the job given to someone of the party elected to the Presidency of the United States.  If in the next election, the opposite party won, that postmaster was out of a job!  Our list of postmasters having served Kinmundy shows how often the position changed hands.

     Later the post office was in the 200 block of  Madison Street (our main street) between  Bargh’s Drug Storeroom on the south and Mahan and Motch’s Grocery Store on the north.  There were two windows—one small and one much wider to hand out the larger packages.  In the spring, many boxes of baby chicks arrived for the area farmers.  Mail was sorted, picked up by agents at each of the two depots—the C and EI and IC, hung on hooks above the tracks, and the arriving trains picked it up as they came through.  Once in a while, the train ran over the sacks.  Then it had to be picked up by hand, walking the tracks.

     Our present post office was built in the 1960’s and is located at 109 West Third Street.

(B-637a)  Dedication of Kinmundy Post Office - May 30, 1963

Kinmundy Post Office (1979)

                                          Postmasters - Kinmundy Post Office

NAME	DATE APPOINTED	TITLE
William B. Eagan	7/14/1857	Postmaster
Leonard D. Shilling	6/18/1861	Postmaster
Benjamin H. Pearson	4/13/1864	Postmaster
Randolph C. O'Bryant	3/23/1868	Postmaster
Thomas W. Haymond	12/15/1868	Postmaster
William T. Coleman	3/29/1869	Postmaster
Daniel C. Moore	1/06/1873	Postmaster
John F. Donovan	12/5/1876	Postmaster
Thomas W. Williams	8/18/1885	Postmaster
Richard F. Lawson	4/2/1889	Postmaster
Fred J. Nirider	4/28/1893	Postmaster
Daniel Gunn	5/20/1897	Postmaster
John F. Donovan	12/18/1901	Postmaster
Fred O. Grissom	6/27/1914	Postmaster
George H. Bargh	2/24/1923	Postmaster
Fred O. Grissom	8/22/1933	Acting Postmaster
Fred O. Grissom	4/27/1934	Postmaster
Richard R. Atkins	6/30/1947	Acting Postmaster
Richard R. Atkins	3/17/1949	Postmaster
Floyd Eli Garrett	11/20/1964	Acting Postmaster
Floyd Eli Garrett	6/23/1967	Postmaster
Elbert E. Simon	12/1/1989	Officer-in-charge
Larry P. Buckles	1/27/1990	Postmaster
Joyce A. Williams	6/1/1990	Officer-in-Charge
Cheryl L. Pemberton	8/25/1990	Postmaster

________________________________________________________________________________

“The Kinmundy Express” – May 5, 1959

"Centennial Outgrowth - New Buildings Evidence High Spirits in Kinmundy"

"Kinmundy

Giving mute but concrete evidence that the Kinmundy centennial spirit is still alive and kicking is the steel framework of the new community enter now rising in the business district.  The center is the latest  cooperative enterprise undertaken since the town celebrated its 100^th birthday in August, 1957.  In fact, construction cost thus far came from the centennial fund.  Price of the roof, already bought and paid for, also came from the centennial.

            Community boosters are now searching for more capital.  The search will not be long.  The $5-a-plate dinner on April 25 brought in needed funds – and there are other functions ahead.

Festival, Homecoming. 

A strawberry festival is scheduled during the coming harvesting season, now only 3 weeks away.  Then there’s homecoming toward which most community efforts are now being directed.  This event, scheduled for July 16, 17, and 18, will be a gala occasion.

            Charles Bassett, president of the Kinmundy Community Boosters, said this year’s edition will be patterned after the one last year.  “There will be a carnival, a junior queen and perhaps a parade.  Profit from these functions will go toward completing the community center”, he said.  Already completed is the new medical building in city park.  This beautiful little clinic will be the workshop of Lelan E. Stallings, M.D., who plans to settle in Kinmundy with his wife and son come June.  A house-warming and get-acquainted evening is planned after the Stallings are settled.  Bassett said details of these forthcoming events will be discussed at the next meeting of the Boosters on May 17 at the American Legion Hall here.

Council Active

            While the citizens have been about community progress, the city’s official family has not been marking time.  Mayor F.O. Grissom reported.  “Some $8000 was spent last year on street improvements and a $5200 indebtedness for water meters was refunded.  The city also had a survey made of the cemetery and had new corner stones put up in the new Hanna addition.”

            Hiszonner said the survey will make possible uniformity in erecting grave markers and monuments in the cemetery.  “This has been needed for a long time,” Grissom added.

            He said the town’s water supply is rated A-1 by the State Health Department in its monthly tests.  “We hope some day to buy the city’s reservoir,” the mayor added.

            There are two new houses now building in Kinmundy and Mayor Grissom hopes there will be others when more people learn how friendly and hospitable Kinmundians really are.”

"Community Center - Shown here is the new community center going up in the business district of Kinmundy.  Funds for the structure were left over from the town's centennial in August 1957.  The roof, already bought and paid for, will be put on soon, then the building will be ready for summer functions.  Side walls will be added later as funds become available."

"Ready - When Dr. Lelan E. Stallins and family arrive in Kinmundy about June 15, this new medical center will be ready and waiting.  Nestled among the trees in City Park, the building was constructed at a cost of approximately $21,000.  Funds were donated by town folks and country neighbors.  A formal open-house is planned after the Stallings are settled here.  They are presently living in Clifton."

________________________________________________________________________________

(B-678) Gray's Hardware store with owner, Emmit Gray

(B-679) Fern Gray in the Hardware Store (which was at one time owned by Fern and her father, Emmit Gray) (1976)

(B-680) Fern Gray with Keith Schwabe in Hardware store (1976)

First National Bank of Kinmundy - ca 1952

To the right of the bank, you see part of the "Gem Theatre" that Carl Dunlap owned. According to his daughter, Dorothy (Dunlap) Geiler.  Carl added that white brick on top and dark brick on the bottom when he owned it. There is a movie poster in the window too.

Check out the buildings that stood where the post office and city hall stand now too. According to Dorothy, we know that the building on the left side of the photo was a Restaurant and Pool Hall that Wilferd Snelling opened. (That old building was years before that, the Snelling Garage that we have photos of the inside.) Further west is the Pruett Feed Store. It stood a lot of years and is still standing in parade photos from the 1970's. This was owned by Charlie Pruett.

The photo was probably taken closer to 1951 or so, since it was around 1950 that Carl opened that theatre and added that brick facade.

First National Bank of Kinmundy - 1946

First National Bank - Kinmundy

First National Bank of Kinmundy - 1964

"The Kinmundy Express" - Feb. 3, 1977

First National Bank of Kinmundy - 1979

First National Bank of Kinmundy - 1986

"Salem Times-Commoner" - March 2002

Kinmundy Savings and Loan - 1977

    Kinmundy Building and Loan - 1976

Kinmundy Building & Loan Association Passbook

First Financial Savings & Loan - 1978

WSI Insurance Agent - Bill Jones, Agent - 1980

WSI Insurance Agent - Bill Jones, Agent - 1978   (Pictured: Dave White, Mary Beck, Connie Garrett, and Bill Jones) 

West Suburban Investments - Charles W. "Bill" Jones, agent - 1981

C.R. Alderson Real Estate & Insurance - 1968

C.R. Alderson Real Estate & Insurance - 1969

Kinmundy Township Mutual Fire Insurance Co. card

Bill W. Soldner - Country Companies - around 1970

Bill W. Soldner - Country Companies - 1974

Bill W. Soldner - Country Companies - 1979

OSLA Insurance - 1976

Jones Insurance Agency - 1974

MFA Insurance - Bryce Geiler, agent - 1977

Franklin Life Insurance - Gary Payne, agent - 1980

Kinmundy Insurance - 1987

Ingram's Elevator - 1960

Ingram's Elevator - 1963

Ingram's Elevator - 1966

(Karen Kline, Sherri Doolen, and Janet Sullivan at Ingram’s Elevator)

Dec. 30, 1966 - Ingram's Elevator receipt to Robert Ford

Ingram's Elevator - 1967

Ingram's Elevator - 1969

Ingram's Elevator - 1970

Ingram's Elevator (rain guage holder?)

Elwin Ingram's Soybean Mill - located south of Kinmundy where the

C. & E.I. Railroad and the I.C. Railroad cross. 

According to Karen (Jones) Robnett, it was being built in 1957-1958.  Below is an article about the Mill.

"The Kinmundy Express" - Jan. 21, 1965

       H & H Marathon Truck Stop - 1973

H & H Marathon Truck Stop - 1980

   H & H Marathon Truck Stop - 1979

  H & H Marathon Truck Stop - 1982

      "Deadmond's T.V." - 1963

   "Deadmond's T.V." -  1964   

    "Deadmonds' TV & Appliance" - 1965

"Deadmonds' TV & Appliance" - 1966

"Deadmonds' TV & Appliance" - 1967

                   (B-524)Deadmond T.V. and Appliances  - 1970                                                          

"Deadmond T.V. and Appliance" - 1971

 Rick Deadmond at "Deadmond T.V. and Appliance" - 1972

  "Deadmond T.V. and Appliance" - 1973

  Nevada Deadmond at at "Deadmond T.V. and Appliance" - 1975

Deadmond TV & Appliance - 1978

  (B-523) Deadmond T.V. and Appliances - 1980

                       (B-650) Thomas Appliance Center

Thomas & Deadmond - 1982

Thomas Appliance Center - 1983

Hall's Fruit Market - south of Kinmundy along Rt. 37

Linton & Berry - Funeral directors - thermometer

Linton & Berry - Funeral directors - thermometer

Linton Funeral Home - 1982

Linton Funeral Home - 1985

Linton-Neal Funeral Home - 1988

Jesse George's store - in some of his early days of owning a store.

(B-657) Inside Jesse George's Store with employees, Dorothy Feather Doolen, Virginia Montgomery, and Don Thompson

(B-658) Inside Jesse George's Store - May 1962 with Jerry Gray and Don Thompson

Jesse George's Store - 1967  (Ervin Cheatum, Virginia Montgomery & Bernice Alberson)

Jesse George's General Store - 1971

  Jesse George Store Calendar - 1972

Jesse George's General Store - 1978

Jesse George grocery pad

     (B-578) Jesse George’s Grocery Store   

(B-569) Kinmundy IGA - 1979

Wilkinson's Grocery

Wilkinson's Grocery & Meats - Salt & Pepper shakers

Wilkinsons' Groceries & Meats - owl thermometer

Bargh & Baker - Druggists - Kinmundy, IL - old glass bottle that was found by Steve Jasper from St. Peter, IL.

Bargh's New Soda Fountain - July 3, 1937

"The Kinmundy Express" - July 1, 1937

Bargh's Drug Store - playing pinball.

In front: Ron Doolen and Bud Howell.

Behind them are Beryl Gray, Richard Ford, Denny Gray and David Ballance.

(B-506) Bargh’s Drug Store - 1960

E.C. BARGH, The Drug Store of Service: The firm of E.C. BARGH, Druggist, started under the single proprietorship of Edwin C. BARGH in 1895. Previous to that, in 1893, Mr. BARGH and Mr. Frank BAKER bought out the HOLLISTER Pharmacy and continued in partnership for about 2 years to 1895. Edwin C. BARGH was born in Leeds, England, on Feb. 7, 1859, the son of Joseph BARGH and Elizabeth HAIGH BARGH. When he was about 18 months old, he was brought to this country by his parents. The family landed at New Orleans, and from thence proceeded to Albion, Ill., where they located for about 1 year. Then Joseph BARGH enlisted in the service of his country, and served in several rigorous campaigns, including the Battle of Shiloh. After the war, the family moved over a period of years to the following places in Indiana: Friendsville, Bridgeport, Vincennes, Busseron, and Oaktown. In 1876, the family moved to Kinmundy, Ill., and E.C. BARGH completed the high school education which he had started in Oaktown, Ind. While in high school here, he clerked nights and mornings for Mrs. HOLLISTER in her drug store. After completion of high school, he attended the University of Illinois for 1 year, and obtained his Pharmacist’s certificate. He then was employed in a Drug Store in Geneva for 1 year, after which, he returned to Kinmundy, and took charge of the Drug Store for Mrs. HOLLISTER. He continued in that capacity until he went into business for himself. For awhile his store was located in the former Oddfellow Building, now burned down, but he has been in his present location since about 1896. Mr. BARGH married Miss Nellie HOLBROOK of Mason on Aug. 5, 1891, and they have 2 children: George H. BARGH, and Mrs. Vera Gertrude DAVIDSON, wife of Dr. S.M. DAVIDSON of Chicago. He is a member of the Christian Church and the Chamber of Commerce.  ("The Kinmundy Express" 50^th anniversary edition - Nov. 9, 1933)

  (B-507) Bargh’s Drug Store - 1963   

Jane (Deadmond) Lowe and Eileen (Beard) Malekovic at Bargh's Drug Store

                                                          (B-508) Bargh's Drug Store  - 1962

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bargh's Drug Store By Helen (Robb) Garrett

"George and Mildred Bargh took over Bargh's Drug Store from its founder, George's father, E.C. Bargh. The elder Bargh's health was failing and his increasing age became a problem. The drug store stocked schoolbooks for the area's country one-room grade schools. Those schools taught all 8 grades. As students moved up a grade, (hopefully!) last year's books could be traded in for the current ones. That meant a considerable saving for the parents.

At the front of the store, on the right, were shelves with the latest magazines – “Look”, “Life”, “Modem Screen”, “Better Homes & Gardens”, “True Love”, “Modern Romance”. We read them each and every one as they arrived and never bought a one! "Meet me at Bargh's" was the thing to do for all of us. Perhaps we would buy one lemon or cherry Coke from the fountain for a nickel - get a booth, wait for friends to arrive, and sit all evening until closing time listening to other people's nickels in the juke-box! George and “Mid" had so much patience with the young people in town, we will never forget them.

The candy counter was on the left as we came in and featured all the popular candy bars and also suckers--5 for one cent!! Lots of other penny candy and gum, too. Much later on "Mid” stocked baseball cards with bubble gum, and many collections were begun. Think what those cards would be worth now! There was also a big glass counter with lots of gift ideas-boxed candy, "Evening in Paris," cosmetics and perfume packaged beautifully. “Blue Waltz Perfume" was a popular one.

George and "Mid" hired workers who were special people, too. Wydell Pigg was one of them. He worked at Bargh's from 1938 until 1941. Wydell and his wife Eva (Everyone called her "Tootie") were parents of four children. When World War II began, Wydell served in the Army Air Force at Scott Field from March 10, 1942 until 1945. Wydell's wife and children remained in Kinmundy while he was gone. The family moved to Carbondale in 1950, where Wydell attended Southern Illinois University from 1950 to 1954. Getting an education with a wife and 4 children would have been quite a struggle for them all and quite a success story. His career later included being a librarian at Cairo, and then the family moved to Beardstown where Wydell was employed as a librarian from 1963 until his retirement June 2, 1981. During his days at Bargh's, he always had a smile for everyone. Working where teens hung out day and at night until closing time, a good sense of humor was a must! Wanda Schooley and Jean Gray were also two special ladies working there. Through the years, lots of high school girls had jobs there behind the soda counter.

During World War II years, gas and tires were rationed, and very few young people had access to their parent's car. The ones who did, especially from the country, would pick up their friends, bring them into Kinmundy, to Bargh's, of course! And later pick them up after their dates or whatever. Many times George Bargh stayed open until very late until everyone had his or her ride home.

Today almost every young person has his or her own car-most even drive to school! Another example of Then and Now!

During all those early years, there was no school cafeteria. Some students who lived in town walked home over the lunch hour. Some walked so many blocks there and back it took the whole time! Some brought their lunch in brown sacks, which the students who had gone the eight years to country schools were already used to doing. (Those students were also used to walking miles to school, too, instead of blocks!) A lot of us were the lucky ones, who walked uptown from the old high school across the "dump" (railroad tracks) and ate lunch at Bargh's Drug Store! They made the best hamburgers! That was my first taste of “Brook's Catsup!" Most of us had never tasted "boughten" catsup - just the kind our mothers made from tomatoes in the garden! Dill slices were also on the plate. For twenty-five cents we could get a hamburger and a milk shake! Remember-in those days there were no paper plates or plastic cups and glasses. Every dish, glass, and all the silverware had to be washed and dried by hand. So many good memories of Bargh's Drug Store we will never forget."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"BARGH'S OLD DRUG STORE" By Wayne Robb

"We went in front, thru the sagging screen door,

Into the part where Dutch had swept the floor.

The glass counter that held the candy bars and gum,

When the kids all came in, things began to hum.

The black and white marble soda fountain with the mirrored back bar,

Were the milkshakes and hamburgers, and I say the best by far.

Along the north wall were six booths installed,

This was where love notes and whispers are recalled.

A juke box sat at the east mirrored wall,

After school and on Saturday nights, we had a ball.

The south wall held drawers that contained medical things,

In the winter set the potbellied stove, scarred with heat rings.

It kept everyone warm when the pinball we played,

When all of a sudden we knew we had over stayed.

Along the south side a glass case did stand,

If you looked at these gifts, Bargh’s gave you a hand,

Bargh's Old Drug Store was a wonderful place,

We grew up in the 30's and 40's using this as our home base.

But it's all gone now, but sur dreams will last,

As we think of the days gone away in the past."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

         (B-623) Nancy’s Café

      Nancy's Cafe - 1972  (Owner - Nancy Middleton)

        (B-624) Nancy’s Café       

    Nancy's Cafe - 1974

Family Room Cafe - 1977 (owned by Norm, Nicki and Monica Janic)

Pictured are Nicki Janic, Monica Janic, and Mark Donoho)

Family Room Cafe - 1978

Family Room Cafe - 1979

  Crain's Cafe - 1961   (Owners - Effie and Rueben Crain)

  Crain's Cafe - 1961

  (B-514) Crain’s Café  - 1962 

   (B-661) Crain's Cafe themometer

Crain's Cafe themometer

 Kinmundy Cafe

 (B518) The Curve - 1966

The Curve - 1967

                   (B-516)  The Curve Drive-In  - 1970                                                                         (B-517)  The Curve Drive-In - 1971

The Curve - 1978

The Curve - 1978

  (B-521)  The Curve Drive-In - 1979

 \

                    (B-520)  The Curve Drive-In   - 1982                                                                              

The Curve - 1987

Judy's Restaurant - 1988 - (Judy (Egelston) Mulvaney Tranum - owner)

(B-587)  Judy's Restaurant - (Judy (Egelston) Mulvaney Tranum - owner)

(B-588)  Judy's Restaurant - (Judy (Egelston) Mulvaney Tranum - owner)

(B-589)  Judy's Restaurant - (Judy with Debbie Butts and Jane Middleton)

(B-590)  Judy's Restaurant

Francis Hammer - Sealtest Dairy Products - 1976

Kinmundy Teen Center (located north of Jesse George's store on Main Street)

Our local band, "The Second Scene", was a favorite. Pictured are John Harvey in the back on drums,

then left to right is Charlie Mulvaney, Steve Hanna, Reed Garrett and Danny Arnold

                          (B-651) Don's Meat Processing  - 1968

Don's Meat Processing

- March 13, 1975 – “The Kinmundy Express” -  “Mr. & Mrs. Don THOMPSON to be open for business in new building, Monday:  A new business for Kinmundy has been in the process of manturing for the past several months.  Or maybe we better say that a going Kinmundy business has been enlarged.  Mr. and Mrs. Don THOMPSON have erected a new processing plant just south of the Kinmundy Lake along State Route 37, and will be open for business the first of next week.  In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. THOMPSON built a meat processing plant next to their home north of Kinmundy.  They did no slaughtering but processed the carcasses after they were dressed out by the Kinmundy Slaughtering Co., located just east of Kinmundy.  The slaughtering and processing had to be done under state supervision.  Don first started his processing plant with only two employees, other than himself and Mrs. THOMPSON.  Their cooling room had a capacity of 25 carcasses but in a few emergencies 30 hung in the cooling room.  Most all of this processing was done for farmers within this and nearby communities.  Ten people have been employed at this plant here of late.  There are not many processing plants within a radius of several miles.  Naturally, Don’s business has grown by leaps and bounds.  Sometime ago he conceived the idea of enlarging his plant and purchased the site where the new building stands.  This concrete block building is 50 x 106 feet, with an addition of 20 x 40 feet, all enclosed, for holding pens for the live animals.  The second floor of the building will be used for storage and office space.  The front room will be used for the retail trade.  The firm will not only sell choice cuts of beef and pork, but will also retail prepared meats of all kinds.  Also there will be groceries for sale, not a large line but many of the more staple groceries, including a dairy case.  The firm will also wholesale meat to other retailers within a radius of several miles.  Nothing but the best of meat will be slaughtered and sold by this plant.  The rooms not opened to the public will be a freezer room, two cooling rooms, a processing room with a cooling unit to maintain a 50-55 degree temperature, a curing cooler, a smoking a lard rendering room, a room for the inspector, 2 large rest rooms, and the slaughter room which will be capable of handling 40 to 50 animals per day.  When the plant gets to running, there will be 15 to 20 employees.  Mr. THOMPSON, in addition to doing his own slaughtering, will still do custom butchering and processing.  The store will open Monday morning, March 17^th at 7:30 and will close at 8:30 p.m.  Some slaughtering and processing will be done this week in order to make sure everything is lined up and working well.  We want to say that Mr. and Mrs. THOMPSON are to be congratulated for giving Kinmundy such a nice business.  When they decided to enlarge their business, it is not secret that another nearby community made a rather enticing offer to help build their plant, but their love for their hometown over-ruled.”

Don's Meat Processing  - 1975

Don's Meat Processing - Highway 37

Don's Meat Processing - 1979

Don's Meat Processing employees - 1998

Standing: Don & Linda Thompson (owners), Eva West, Brenda Mulvany, Donnie Lee Thompson, Garner Bassett and Gayla O'Dell Lueking

In f ront: Jackie Jones

 (B-659) Inside the meat plant at Don Thompson's Meat Processing businesses on Rt. 37

              (Don hosing off beef.)

                                                                   (B-661) Don Thompson's Tent Day at the Meat Plant on Rt. 37 south of Kinmundy (B-660)

Kinmundy Slaughtering and Processing - 1979

B-K Hobby House - Bernice & Kenneth Alberson

                                                 B-K Hobby House - owned by Bernice & Kenneth Alberson - 1969

                                                        B-K Hobby House - owned Bernice & Kenneth Alberson - 1969

 B-K Hobby House - owned Bernice & Kenneth Alberson - 1969

            D.C. Day Standard Oil                                                                         (B-617) Kinmundy Medical Center

                               (B-655) Vig Fertilizer                                                    (B-656) Vig Fertilizer

(B-554) Don Gesell Well Servicing

Gesell Oil Service - 2008 - (Jeremy and Jerry Chasteen)

Robb's Friendly Service - Howard L. Robb

(B-647) Sidney’s Standard Station                                                    

    (B-646) Mulvaney’s Standard Station

(B-661) Westside Motors                                                  (B-627) OSLA Insurance Service Corp.

Sues Beauty Corner - 1967

'

 (B-604) Kinmundy Savings and Loan - Dave White                     

  (B-593) Kinmundy Café

White Star Station - 1946

                                       (B-662) White Star Super Service Station (Gas on that day was 9.9 cents per gallon)

Robnett's D-X Service - 1960

Robnett's Sunoco

Gammon's Sunoco - 1977

Gulf Service Station - 1960 - Owners: Dwight J. Alexander and Jim Alexander

Paddy Gray's Liberty Service  Station & Grocery - 1946.  This was located on the north end of Kinmundy along the highway.

(Later it was Whitney's Grocery & Service Station.)

Whitney's Grocery - 1987  (At one time it was Paddy Gray's Gas Station)

  Harry Geiler’s Garage -  1960

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1966 (Paul Montgomery - owner)

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1967

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1968

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1976

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1979

Montgomery's Body Shop - 1980

Durham's Garage & Towing - 1974

Sills Motor Sales - keychain

 Barney Sills Car Sales - 1966

Sill Motor Sales ashtrays; Rt. 37 - Kinmundy

Westside Motors - Larry Sills, owner - 1975

Westside Motors - Larry Sills, owner - 1977

   (B-618) Montes Auto Sales    

Montes Auto Sales - 1979

Montes Auto Sales - 1981

Klein's Pest and Termite Control - 1967

McKitrick Chemical Company - 1964

McKitrick Chemical Co. - "The Kinmundy Express" - March 9, 1961

Neilson Construction Company - 1980 (Ken Neilson)

Kinmundy Kin-der Kare - 1989

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Kinmundy pamphlet by the Kinmundy Woman's Club - 1967-1968

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United Farm Agency flyer for Kinmundy, IL properties

Thomas Utech - H & R Block in Kinmundy - business card

Connie Engel - tumbling & gymnastics

Connie Engel

Connie Engel's Tumbling

Lori McWhirter, Lisa Alberson, Kristy Jahraus, Shelly Neilson, Sara Powless, Cory Turner,

Dee Jahraus, Michelle Vandeveer, Ann Shirley, Delyn white, Autumn Williams, Julie Elwood.

Fan provided by local merchants from the Kinmundy-Alma area

Kinmundy and Alma area businesses advertisements on placemat - ca 1983

1958 Souveniers from Kinmundy - Anthropomorphic Pig Salt & Pepper shakers

1948 Kinmundy Telephone Directory (click here to display)

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“The Kinmundy Express” – Oct. 31, 1929  

“Tony Says Patronize Kinmundy”

“To get a da most - For a da mon you prize,

Patronize da one - Wheech advertatze.

Reeda dis paper, Da price you a face,

Sava da mon - In any dees place.

Freda da Greesom - Has a nice Hardware,

Prices so cheep, It maka you stare.

Ira C. Mourress - Ees one nica butch,

As eez Andy Jacksoon - And Mahan & Mutch.

Dey sella da goods, Dey sella da meat,

At sucha a da prices - You canna no beat.

A nice da radio - Maka you throb,

Try it at Snelling - Or Thoms or Schwabe.

Gooda year ees one - Nica da tire.

White Star Gasoleen - Maka da car fire.

Da two beeg Banks - Have plenty da mon,

To borrow or loan it - It no matters wheech one.

Da telephone service eez - Gooda, no slow.

For enjoyment too - Da Picture Show go.

Junkins and Lowe - Has one a nice store;

Once trada wit dem - You go a some more.

Bargh and Nirider - Sella da drug,

Such cheepness in prices - Maka you shug.

Pruett, Conant and Jasper - Buy a da fat chick,

Dey pay a da cash - Wit out a beeg kick.

Smitty, Whitey, and Neathery - Da coal do sell,

To get a one accustomed - Before entering da______.

Da feed a da mill - Eez heavy to lug.

Benke ees do one - Who pictures your mug.

Peck Browns gas - Is gooda to use.

C.I.P.S. company - Furnishes good juice.

Five churches we have, In nice a da trim,

Teaches to get - Better quainted wit Him.

Dont a forget we have - One nica beeg school.

Send da boy dere, Dont raise heem a fool.

Meester Barcroft takes him - And sheds many a tear

If he cant pour knowledge - In da kids ear.

Da boys will a soon - Play a da basket ball;

Dey start da game - In middle of da Fall;

Dey needa you dere - For a you to a root;

They also needa - Your money to boot.

If you leava da town - Ride da train on da track

Den you are sure - You wont have to walk back.

Da Quality Bakery - Maka fine bread.

Dey call Johnnie Nelm - When dey tink you are dead.

Tree beeg a garages - And namely are dese,

Star, Snelling, and Joneses - And dey are weeling to please.

Louie Rotan’s restaurant - Handles da fine eat.

Prices at a Rohrbough - Eees harder to beat.

A beeg fine hotel - Wit eats and a bed,

Youd rather live dere - Dan at a home instead.

Two taxes we have - Wit da niceness of de car.

Dey take you to closeness, Or dey taka you afar.

Nice a beeg barber shops - Three when dere in,

Dey cutta da hair - And scrappa da chin.

Heinie Jackson and Tonti - Goods ees not poor,

Dey treat you wit niceness - When you dere store.

Meester Miller ees one - Beeg fina nice Dock;

He keeps ya in shape - You run lika clock.

Doc Hanna ees a one - Who mend horses bones.

To geta eyes feexed - See Doctor Jones.

Davis, Miller and Allard - Fixes da shoe,

Dey are so good - Dey looka lika new.

The Beelding and Loan - Has plenty da cash,

Long as a Buck runs it - It never go a smash.

Alberta Doonlap runna - The shop of da tin,

He hasa Carl to helpa - When ever he is in.

De Chamber of Commerce - Eese hard a to beat,

Most every a one goes - When dey hava da eat.

Im happy to say - We hava da nice town;

Such niceness of peoples - No canna be found.

From all public gatherins - Latest gossip da ya hear;

Sometimes you can buy - Homeada rootless beer.

After you reada all da ads - And taka da rest,

Reada all da news - In da Kinmundy Xpress.

To say a some more - I mina beeg rut

Cause you a know a by now - Im a one beeg nut.  – Adam Squire.”

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“The Kinmundy Express” –  Sept. 13, 1973

“F.O. GRISSOM Says” –

“In order to give the Express readers a change of scenery, I am asking – Do You Remember?”

- “When Kinmundy had two drug stores?

- When Ruby SEE of Alma, was the only lady holding a telegraph job on the I.C.R.R.?

- When Lotta NEIL and Glen HARLAN were married?  Some wedding.

- When the SONGER Flour Mill was operating, with George WHITE as miller, Frank HADDEN steam engineer and McKinley PRUETT delivery man?

- When Bill CAWREY had a bake shop?

- When Margaret FRENCH was Hello Girl for the Phone Company?

- When Bob FLANNAGAN was City Marshall?

- When young Harvey GRAY was the city street light lamplighter?

- When Scott KNISELEY was County Superintendent of Schools?

- When Mike SEE fell from the scaffold in building the Baptist Church and he lost his eyesight?

- When Kinmundy had a Baptist, South Methodist and Presbyterian Church?

- When about 75 men were employed at the coal mine?

- When John DONOVAN was Mayor?

- When Dan GUNN was Postmaster?

- When Raymond MAHAN clerked in the WITWER store?

- When in winter and spring the streets were impassable?

- When Del EAGAN was the drayman?  He would park his team at the I.C. freight house and when he wanted them, he would whistle very loud from over from over in town and they would come to him. 

- When David BEAVER taught singing lessons?

- When George RUTHERFORD taught shorthand classes?

- When Elisha HAMMER was tax assessor for many years?

- When F.A. PRUETT was Superintendent of the Public School?

- When the band stand was on the public square and summer concerts were held?

- When Tom HAYMOND had a private bank and Tom BAGOTT was the bookkeeper?

- When through the efforts of Captain ROHRBOUGH, the Building and Loan was organized?

- When O.N. TYNER had a picture gallery?

- When Kinmundy had three saloons?

- When McBRYDE had a big store and resided where Harvey BROWN now lives?

- When John WILSON, Abe BAYLIS, and Melvin HINES were among the Fox Hunters?

- When the double track on the Illinois Central was built?

- When Pat ROONEY was the regular pumper at the Illinois Central Lake?  His father was the pumper before Pat and the work was done by horse power.

- When Charley WEST had a cider mill at what is now the LEACH home?

- When nutmeg melons were grown extensively and shipped by the car load?  Some of the big growers were Wm. MORRIS, Richard ATKINS, George REESE and many others.

- When there was a Latter Day Saints Church on the W.H. BREWER farm west of town on the Patoka road?

- When the present High School building was built?

- When W.W. NEIL was elected County Treasurer on the Republican ticket?  Later Buz ARNOLD was also elected county Treasurer.

- When Will REYNOLDS and O.N. TYNER had a dramatic company on the road?

- When Uncle Billy WHITE and Zarda FROST had a lumber yard?

- When Kinmundy had five doctors and one dentist?

- When the three ALLEN Brothers were the main carpenters in Kinmundy?

- When MATTHEWS and MINOR had a seed house and Albert MAXWELL was their chief helper?

- When George ELDER had a grocery store on the corner where now stands the First National Bank?

- When E.G. MENDENHALL had an apple evaporator?

- When the barn was connected to the house on what was then known as the Judge SNELLING home, now property of Rev. BALDWIN?

- When Chas. B. ROHRBOUGH had a seventy thousand dollar stock of merchandise where Bill DEADMOND is now located?

- When Alfred STOKELEY and John ROTAN were Justices of the Peace, and George BEAVER and Bill HAMMER, Sr., were the Constables?

- When Hon. Thomas E. MERRITT, of Salem, was often the fourth of July celebration speaker?

- When Charley ELBINGER had a clothing store?

- When J.W. WILSON and L.R. DAVIS had a good general store where Jesse GEORGE is now located?

- When Jake SMITH and Son had a blacksmith shop and long ago a man was killed in this shop, so is the story?

- John A. HOLT had the first car of commercial line in Kinmundy?  It was spread then by man power.

- When Texas ponies were shipped in by the car load?

- When Ed WORMLEY was pitcher and Bert ELDER catcher of the local baseball team?”

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“The Kinmundy Express” –  Nov. 1, 1973

“F.O. GRISSOM Says” - “Do You Remember”

- When G.W. SNELLING had a basket factory near the C. & E.I. depot?

- When Charles VALLOW was pit boss at the Kinmundy mine?

- When J.F. CROFT was the city shoemaker?

- When Wallace HULTS was night watchman and had a bulldog that accompanied him on the job?

- When Jim WHITSON had a harness shop?

- When Kinmundy had a small pox epidemic – no deaths?

- When the Squiers Hotel was located on the lot where now the Arnold sisters have their home?

- When Gustan and Albert EAGAN had a blacksmith shop in the building south of the lumber yard?

- When John READNOUR had a sawmill in the north part of town?

- When WITWER Brothers had the brick yard and built the present fire department house, and the building occupied by the Kinmundy Express and the Crain Barber Shop?

- When Maud PORTER had a photo gallery over what used to be the post office?

- When Jim POSEY advertised the hundred acres?

- When Noah ROBNETT rode a motorcycle?

- When Andy YOUNG had a hardware store?

- When Jacob NELSON had a jewelry store and P.O. THARNE had a tailor shop in the room where is now the car wash?

- When Tom SCHOERNBORN had a black dog for a companion?

- When Chas. F. PRUETT was President of the National Egg Dealers Association?

- When Mr. and Mrs. Clarence ALDERSON moved to Kinmundy from Iuka and he was employed by the First National Bank?

- When Tom HAYMOND became tired of the banking business and ended it by jumping in the well?

- When both political parties had a glee club and would go places and sing at the rallies?

- When W.H. GRAY built the new opera house and it was later destroyed by fire?

- When Jim COCKRELL was elected to the Illinois Legislature from Meacham Township?

- When Schneider’s Springs was a popular picnic place?

- When Fred KILLIE clerked in the Dan GUNN grocery store?

- When Doctor, Mrs. MILLER, and the two boys, Oswald and Arno moved from Missouri to Kinmundy?  If you do not remember, it was about the first of September, 1898?

-  When GRAMLEY Brothers (Martin and William) had a grocery and meat market in the room now occupied as the City Hall?

- When the farm now owned by Charles LOWE had forty acres of Blue Stern prairie grass that was used as feed and strawberry mulching?  It was the last tract of land to be plowed for the first time.

- When medicine shows first came to town and had free shows at the old opera house and sold a cure all for all complaints and held voting contests to select the most beautiful baby in town?  One man is still here that won the prize at one show.

- When dealers and farmers shipped a car load of livestock to Chicago on the Illinois Central?  The shipper got a free ride on the freight train to look after the stock.

- When the young people had May Day parties in the woods and would make the trip with a four horse team on a hay ride?

- When Frank SNAPP was employed as Superintendents of Schools?

- When M.A. SONGER conducted a dry goods and millinery store she called the Bee Hive?

- When the summer ice supply was put up in the dead of winter from the farmer stock ponds?

- When the C. & E.I. was built and the Illinois Central tried to prevent them from crossing their tracks?

- When Richard McBRYDE built the residence (now owned by our Postmaster) at a cost of $3000.  ALLEN Bros. were the carpenters and received $1.50 for 10 hours work.

- When Kinmundy coal was $3 per ton delivered?

- When Gus JAMES was Superintendent of the Kinmundy schools and later was elected County Judge?

- When Gray WILLIAMS was the U.S. mail messenger?

- When D.S. LORD was Illinois Central station agent?

- When Noah SUTTON was the C. & E.I. agent?

- When Col. CABANIS was Supt. of the Kinmundy mine?

- When there was a post office at Mount Liberty, located on the southwest corner of the DILLON farm on the Kinmundy-Louisville Road?  A store was also there & after the building  of the Illinois Central, the Mount Liberty post office was moved to Kinmundy.  None expected to remember this item.

- When “Peck” BROWN was the Standard Oil Agent and often in times in winter it required four horses to pull the oil tank wagon?

- When Billy JACK, Heck PIGG, and Jim FISH were near neighbors on the Kinmundy-Louisville Road?

- When John LYNCH had a meat market?

- When “Pappy” Geo. FENSTER conducted the restaurant and served a good meal for a quarter?

- When Mrs. Allie DENNIS had a millinery store in the family residence south of the B. & L. office?

- When during one of the Kinmundy fires that O.N. TYNER went to the wooden roof of his place of business and a spark caught the roof on fire and it was extinguished by TYNER’s human made extinguisher?

- When Fred TSCHUDI was considered one of the most wealthy men in Kinmundy township?

- When Dr. GREER from St. Paul was frequently in Kinmundy and always drove fine horses?

- When Doctor HALL would celebrate his birthdays with a dinner party for men only?

- When WITWER Bros. had the brick yard?  Hundreds of cords of wood were consumed in the burning of the brick?

- When the government had a Watch Tower on the Holzhausen Hill on the Vincennes-Vandalia road in Meacham township?

- When Gilbert DOOLEN quit teaching and took a mail clerk job on the Illinois Central?

- When the first piece of concrete road in the county was about a half mile north of Salem about ten feet wide?

- When Omega, Miletus, and Lester each had a post office and their service was better than what people get today with this “Efficiency”?

- When Dick LAWSON was editor of the Kinmundy Express?

- When Kinmundy had four barbers and one could get a hair cut or shave for a dime in one of them?

- When WALL & HERRICK conducted a store in the room formerly occupied by MAHAN & MOTCH?

- When Red Top was one of the main money crops?

- When Ed HENSLEY and Charley GAMMON were operators at the railroad tower, and later Raymond MAULDING was on the job?

- When the Illinois Central made the present Kinmundy Lake?

- When Ed G. MENDENHALL had a nursery?

- When Kinmundy had a good baseball team?

- When Lon FRENCH was delivery boy for the coal mine store and drove a pair of little mules from the mine?

- When Dick HUGGINS studied law with C.H. HOLT?  Later HOLT was elected County Judge.

- When Jim BROWN was one of the first rural mail carriers out of the Kinmundy office – salary fifty dollars per month?

- When J.N. VALLOW was a railway mail clerk?

- When Kinmundy had a section crew on both railroads and Dan O’BRIEN and Frank PERRY were the bosses?

- When both Kinmundy railroads had water tanks here to supply their engines with water?”

(Continued next week)

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“The Kinmundy Express” –  Nov. 8, 1973 (Continued from last week)

“F.O. GRISSOM Says” - “Do You Remember”

- When Lyman COX had a livery stable?

- When John SWANDER conducted a grocery store?

- When Claude WILKINSON taught country schools?

- When Mr. CLOW doctored sick horses and other livestock?

- When Charley HOWELL’s bull fell in the well and the Salem Fire Department rescued him?  He came out fighting.

- When the CHALFANT sisters kept a boarding house?

- When Kinmundy annually held a Chautauqua in the little city park?

- When Alexander S. CARDELLA, a Mexican, had an office in the Dr. MILLER building and was working trying to harness the heat of the sun?  Hundreds of others have tried the same ting.

- When Harry CRAIG graduated in medicine and immediately took a position with the government on an Indian Reservation in Washington state?

- When Joe TELFORD owned one of the largest farms in this part of the country?  It was about 900 acres.

- When Charles MISELBROOK had an apple tree in his five acre orchard in Meacham that bore five varieties of apples?

- When Kinmundy held the Marion County Farmers Institute and it was three big days?

- When Jim BARNES was editor of the “Journal”?  He moved here from Patoka.  While here he was married to Lotta HADDEN.

- So many requests have been received, but this will be the last “Do You Remember?” as the ammunition is exhausted.  Glad so many enjoyed it.”

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“The Kinmundy Express” – Dec. 27, 1973

F.O. GRISSOM Says: "Do you Remember?"

- "When John CARMAN was the Evergreen Cemetery sexton and he knew the location of every grave?

- When LEVAND had a clothing store in Kinmundy and sold a pair of pants to one of our citizens for 50 cents down and balance 50 cents per week?  Well, the 50 cent payments failed to arrive.  The merchant, in taking his Sunday afternoon walk, met the customer on the street and asked him about the due payments.  The customer got mad and told the merchant if he asked him again on Sunday he would kick the seat of his pants.  The merchant turned and pulled up his coat tail and says, “You just kick ‘em.  It needs kicking for letting you have the pants.”

- When Justice of the Peace, A.B. STOKLEY, with his son Fay, lived on what is now known as God’s Acres?  Fay was a cripple and it was said he sold his body at death for $400 to a college for to be used in a scientific way.

- When Dr. BRADLEY was a retired dentist?  Dr. J.D. CAMERER married the doctor’s daughter, Nettie?

- When B.W. BLAKESLEE had a hardware store north of the water plant next to the alley?  His son, Jim, married Miss Mabel, the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E.G. FORSHEE.

- When Fred TSCHUDI and his sister peddled good home grown butter around town to their regular customers?

- When John F. DONOVAN held the offices of Mayor, Postmaster and City Attorney? Different times.

- When Uncle Billy WHITE built houses to rent? Two of his latest are now owned by Glen McCARTY and Paul LANE.

- When Fred GAMMON was Kinmundy’s Mayor and was responsible for our water works?  Good deal Fred.

- When there was a natural grove of oaks, hickory and elm where the residence of Wilma BOUGHERS and the late Jesse REESE place and it was known as Shelton’s grove and the 4^th of July celebrations were always held there?

- When Henry BOYD clerked in the W.W. LOWE “Everything” store?  Henry, now retired, lives at Wood River, Ill.?

- When the Kinmundy post office had three patrons by the name of Mrs. Alice SEE?

- When Scott Matthews lived west of town on what is now known as the NACHMAN farm?

- When Frank NELMS had a general store, John NELMS had a second hand furniture store, and Maurice NELMS had a grocery store?

- When Frank REEDER had a tinshop and handled some stoves as a side line?

- When Roy FILSON clerked for C.B. ROHRBOUGH and later conducted the Farmers Store in Farina?  He married Nellie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben PHILLIPS.

- When Frank SUGG was manager of the coal mine store and lived in a partial brick house where the D-X filling station is now located?

- When the Fire Bell was located on what is now called the public square?  The city still owns the bell and its staying in the fire house.

- When one Geo. SWAIN, a brick mason, was working for the city at the light plant and fell from a broken scaffold of his building and got hurt?  He brought suit against the city and got damage.

- When Tom SMITH had a livery stable and had a pure white horse he called Snowball?

- When Mrs. Gertie WILLIAMS was one of the rural mail carriers?

- When C.H. WEST and W.H. SHRIVER had a lumber yard where now stands the fire house?

- When Ed HALEY and Angus NICHOLS had a garage on Madison Street across from where Bill DOOLEN now lives?

- When B.F. LINTON moved to Kinmundy from Patoka and started in the undertaking business and the firm name was LINTON & BEERY?

- When Pleasant ROBNETT donated the now beautiful Evergreen trees along the driveways in Evergreen Cemetery?

- When Kinmundy supported three saloons and the proprietors were Eck STULL, MARTIN brothers and Wyatt WILLIAMS?

- When Oliver VALLOW resided north of Evergreen Cemetery and was one of the engineers at the coal mine?

- When F.A. PRUETT had a poultry house and would drive his one horse wagon and pick up the poultry and eggs from the merchants?

- When Richard McBRYDE conducted a bank on a small scale in a building where now is the Express?

- When W.H. GRAY built the house for his mother, Mrs. W.C. INGRAM, where is now the home of Clarence ALDERSON?

- When the R.C. MAULDING home was the home of Rev. and Mrs. LINGENFELTER?  He was a retired Methodist minister.  After the death of his wife he moved to Texas to live with a daughter.

- When the writer of this remembrance lived and improved the MAULDING home?  I improved the property in 1912.  Sold it to the MAULDINGS in 1923.

- When Harry WARREN and Louis LACEY were in charge of the Warren Bank?

- When Charles WARREN was cashier of the Willow Hill bank?

- When Capt. ROHRBOUGH and son, Levi C., had charge of the United States Land Office at Larned, Kansas?

- When the family of Harve BROWN lived in the house now occupied by his son, Harvey?

- When John HENSLEY, a retired carpenter, had the honor of being the champion bass fisherman in the now Kinmundy Lake?

- When Chas. B. ROHRBOUGH built a lovely home on the lot where now the UPHOLD house stands?  The house was destroyed by fire a few years later.  The cause thought to be a short electric circuit.

- When Bill GARNER and John GARNER, brothers, each had a barber shop?  It is said that Bill did some credit business.  One day a customer was looking over his register and it said, “Pinch DEW owes me 20 cents because I shaved him twice.”  Cannot vouch for the truth.

- When Zarda FROST took the contract to sink the Kinmundy coal mine?  FROST was the son-in-law of Uncle Billy WHITE.  Mr. WHITE was not a Union soldier in 1861-1865.  But an excellent citizen and liked by everybody.

- When there was a ten acre apple orchard on South Washington Street just inside the city limits on the east side of the street?

- When Dolph HAMMER drove the PRUETT & Son Poultry and Egg wagon through the country to Omega to pick up the produce?  He was on the job many years.

- When Dwight ALEXANDER and his brothers and sisters had a family choir and had many engagements singing for different occasions?  They were good too.

- When a rather aged couple lived on East First Street and the wife was taken sick and passed away?  After the funeral the husband decided to sell all household personal belongings at public sale and the wearing apparel of the wife was included.  Things sold very well until the auctioneer came to the wife’s false teeth.  No bid?

Now, good folks, I sure have exhausted all the “Soap”.  Memory good.  Hope they brought back bygone days that had been forgotten.”

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“The Kinmundy Express” – Feb. 27, 1975

“Do You Remember” by Fred Grissom

- “When Kinmundy had five church structures?

- When Tony YOUNG was one of the big orchard men in Marion county?

- When Don GRAY was a Railway Mail Clerk on the Illinois Central?

- When William W. NEIL was Marion County Treasurer and lived in Salem?

- When Kinmundy had two good hotels, the Ryan Hotel and the Squier’s House?

- When growing Rocky Ford melons was a very good paying job?

- When Kinmundy celebrated the 4^th with a balloon ascension?

- When all men wore suspenders to prevent getting the seat of their pants snagged by nails sticking up in the board walks?

- When the ladies all wore long hat pins that could be used for protection other than pinning on the hat?

- When on Sunday evenings was a good time to take the census of the youngsters when the 5’clock train pulled in?

- When Kinmundy had two livery barns?

- When Charley RHOADS was Mayor?  He was one of the village blacksmiths.

- When David P. SNELLING was County Judge?  It was a long time ago.

- When Frank BRADFORD of Salem was manager of the Mine Company store?

- When Noah ROBNETT had a he mule that furnished plent of music for the folks in the north part of city?

- When the SONGER flour mill was operating six days a week?  The flour was in many out of town stores?

- When E.C. BARGH built the house on 3^rd and Washington now owned and occupied by Don WEST?

- When coal was two dollars and a half per ton delivered?

- When Dr. Hugo MILLER & family moved to Kinmundy from Missouri?  He made the fifth doctor in Kinmundy.

- When Doctor JONES had an office in Lester?

- When Kinmundy had a basket factory for marketing Gem melons?

- When Isaac WAINSCOTT always drove beautiful horses?

- When William MORRIS was Kinmundy township supervisor?

- When Kinmundy had numerous town wells on the street with a tin cup hanging on the pump by a small chain?  Everybody drank out of the cup, no deaths from microbes.

- When Kinmundy had three saloons and the city treasury was usually in the red?

- When Kinmundy had two newspapers – the Express and the Journal?

- When George W. RUTHERFORD taught shorthand classes and some of the students went to Chicago and got employment?

- When Mrs. CATT shot and killed her husband?

- When David BEAVER taught singing school lessons?  He was town clerk for many, many years.

- When William HAMMER had a threshing machine?  He was the father of our present “Bill” HAMMERS.

- When you could mail a first class letter for two cents and it did not take a week to get it to New York?

- When Chas. H. WEST brought home from Mexico a coop of Mexican parrots? None lived.

- When the country roads would be covered with several inches of dust?  Dust did not stop Sunday buggy riding.

- When Kinmundy entertained the Marion county Farmers Institute several years?  It was a big affair.

- When a restaurant had a peanut roaster and a popcorn popper?  Those were happy days.

- When Chas. BUSWELL served a bowl of soup for a dime?

- When the Illinois Central watered their locomotives from a big well near the depot and the pump was operated by horse power?

- When it was not necessary to lock your house at night?

- When livestock ran loose on the street with no stock law?

- When the city had a street sprinkler to settle the dust in summer?

- When neighbors had time to visit neighbors over the garden fence?

- When there was a ten acre orchard on South Washington in the city limits?

- When the Illinois Central shipped in cinders by the car load to doctor mud holes in the streets?  Free freight.

- When Mrs. Myrtle SCHOOLEY had a beautiful horse & sleigh?  Those were happy days to hear sleigh bells.

- When three telegraph operators were employed at the tower and one at the Central depot?

- When the Illinois Central would run 3 excursions to Chicago on weekends?

- When GRISSOM was just about run out of Whens?  The time is now.” 

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“The Kinmundy Express” - Apr. 17, 1975

"Do You Remember?" – by Fred O. GRISSOM

- -  "When the Frank SUGG family resided where the ROBNETT filling station is now located, in a part of the brick house?

- - When Mr. CROFT was the city shoe repair man?  Later Peter MILLER took on the job.

- - When Doctor GAUSE was one of the Kinmundy doctors and moved to Centralia?

-    - When Thomas BAGOTT did not wear shoes, only boots? One could hear him coming for a block.

-    - When Bessie KING was a post office clerk and John DONOVAN postmaster?

-    - When Fred GAMMON was Kinmundy Mayor and is responsible for our water works system.  One job well done and people should be glad he was their Mayor.

-    - When John CARMAN was Evergreen Cemetery Sexton for a great number of years.

-    - When Dan O’BRIEN was the Illinois Central section foreman?

-    - When Reuben CRAIN had a sorghum mill in Meacham township?

-    - When Kinmundy merchants had weekly picture shows on the street?

-    - When Frank GREEN had a shop in building now with DOOLEN barber shop?

-    - When Kinmundy had two male tailors – P.O. THRANE and Mr. SCHOENBORN?

-    - When two millinery stores were busy with the hat style changes?

-    - When Peter MILLER conducted a shoe shop?

-    - When the Kinmundy Lake was made?  It was a big dirt moving job.

-    - When J. Norris VALLOW was a railway mail clerk on the Illinois Central?

-    - When Eugene KEEN was the Government Mail Messenger?  Had 6 inbound, 5 outbound mails daily?

-    - When the Illinois Central mail and express car jumped the track and landed in the mine pond?

-    - When Tom SMITH and Bessie KING were married?

-    - When the band stand was over the big well on the square and had concerts weekly?

-    - When Harve BROWN would sell you a new buggy for thirty-five dollars?  He bought in car lots.

-    - When there was a natural grove where the Wilma BOUGHERS home is located?

-    - When A.M. ALLEN was secretary of the Building and Loan?

-    - When John MOTCH was Mayor of the city?  He was the father of F.A. and Mrs. MAHAN.

-    - When Lotta NEIL and Glen HARLAN were married?  It was a big event.

-    - When Bill SHRIVER and Chas. WEST had a lumber yard?

-    - When John HOLT was the first Kinmundy farmer to apply lime stone?  Those days it was hauled in wagons.

-    - When Keifer pears were loaded in box cars by scooping like corn or oats?

-    - When a farmer or dealer shipped a car of livestock the owner had a few pass to accompany his stock to market?

-    - When Charles DODSON was section foreman on the C. & E.I. Railroad?

-    - When Otis CHARLTON had a pet coon?

-    - When Roy and Mrs. SNELLING conducted a restaurant?

-    - When Mrs. LOVELL resided where Martha MORGAN now resides and raised two grandsons, Fay and Lloyd?

-    - When Rev. F.O. FANNON was pastor of the Christian Church?

-    - When Dolph HAMMER drove the PRUETT poultry and egg wagon to Omega to pick up produce?

-    - When at one time Dave BOUGHERS was a street car conductor in St. Louis?

-    - When Webster and Kate ALLEN sold sweet milk at five cents a quart?

-    - When Henry SIMPSON owned and lived in the house now occupied and owned by Mrs. Glen JOHNSON?

-    - When two Confederate soldiers resided in Kinmundy?

-    - When Zarda FROST had the job sinking the Kinmundy coal mine?

-    - When Schneider Springs was quite a popular resort and celebrations were held there?

-    - When at one time Kinmundy postoffice had three Henry JACKSON patrons?

-    - When Rev. John BALLANCE was the funeral preacher?

-    - When William SIMER was the busy minister in the Omega neighborhood?

-    - When on the Louisville Road lived Billy JACK, Hector PIGG, and Jim FISH?

-    - When John NELMS was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business?

-    - When Mike BUTTS was a big farmer in Meacham and also had a threshing rig and a saw mill?  He was reported to be the strong man of Meacham.

-    - When Mr. and Mrs. Louis M. ROTAN conducted a restaurant?"

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