What is believed to be the first initiation of the Ku Klux Klan within the confines of Williamson County since the days of the Bloody Vendetta, took place in a meadow south of Mission or Rascal Ridge schoolhouse shortly after midnight Saturday morning. Some 1500 to 2000 clansmen from Carbondale, Johnston City and other points had gathered to initiate two hundred candidates from various points in Williamson and Franklin County into the mysteries of the order. It is said that many of the candidates who took the oath of the Knights of the Flaming Cross last night are Marion residents, and that the roster of Marion includes many of the city’s most prominent citizens. Continue reading
Category Archives: County
The following post was printed in Footprints, the quarterly publication of the Williamson County Historical Society. It notates historical background on the old Williamson County Jail that was in use from 1913 to 1972 and now houses the Historical Society. The article was titled “This Old House” and follows:
This building that houses the Williamson County Historical Society has an interesting past. It was one of only five such buildings in the United States that combined the jail and sheriff’s quarters. As I look around at the beamed ceilings, pocket doors, leaded glass and other objects of beauty, I realize that this would have been elegant living in 1913. Continue reading
James Bishop Morray was born in Kentucky in 1821. Due to the early deaths of his mother and father, he was raised by an uncle, William Bishop, in Pope County, Illinois. While still a young man he returned to his home state of Kentucky to work for William Wyatt, eventually marrying his daughter, Izzarilda Wyatt in 1842.
In 1844, the Morray and Wyatt families moved to Illinois, purchasing several parcels of land in Creal Springs and Stonefort Townships. During the 1860’s and 1870’s James became the largest landowner in Johnson County, eventually owning thousands of acres in Johnson and Williamson Counties. Continue reading
In 1926, the Illinois Attorney General filed a petition to dissolve 132 organizations chartered in Williamson County from time immemorial. Why, because none of them had ever filed a report since they were chartered or were delinquent in filing.
Whereas, I would love to get my hands on that list, I can only take note of two of those charters that were dissolved, but both are interesting nonetheless. Continue reading
Dee Larue Rodd, who resided at 1904 W. Warren Street in Marion, was born September 17, 1921 in Cambria, Illinois to the late Leonard Rodd and Kate Lipe Rodd.
A graduate of Marion High School in the Class of 1939, he attended Southern Illinois University from 1939-1942 and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Flight School in late 1942.
He was married October 11, 1943 to the former Ruth Anne Bowman in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruth was born October 7, 1925 to Virgil W. Bowman and Gladys Butts.
Rodd served in World War II and the Korean War as a combat pilot. A squadron leader, he flew 50 missions over Korea. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals, among several decorations. He left the Navy with the rank of Commander. Continue reading