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Letter documents 1925 re-enactment of Lafayette’s visit(Editor’s Note: The following let- Mr. Shilling and Guy Lambert. One ter was submitted by Mrs. Jean wore bright blue coat and red vest Flory of Glenview, IL whose great- and the other a mahogany coat with grandparents were Carl and Fanny green vest.Roedel who were married in 1868 and eame to Shawneetown. He served as mayor of Shawneetown in the 1880s. Her grandparents were Sarah Roedel who was married to Robert Docker Caldwell in 1898. Her parents were Frances Caldwell who married Henry Dressel in 1923. Mrs. Flory was also the niece of the late Attorney Charles Roedel of Shawneetown. The letter was written by her Aunt Rose and is about the 1925 reenactment of Lafayette's landing in Shawneetown.)Shawneetown, 111. May 16,1925 Dear Sade:The great day is over and it was truly a great day. Shawneetown placed herself once more upon the map. The weather was ideal, not a cloud in the sky and just warm ^enough to be comfortable to go Hnathout a wrap. The crowd was ^Hftimated at between twelve and fif-^Ween thousand; three thousand cars Our wonderful new road made it possible. The whole day was a wonderful success, and the marvelous thing about it was, the plans were all worked out in the last few days -such as getting the boat to bring the Lafayette party - Our own Government boat, the Kankakee, was placed at our service - and the two Submarine Chasers were a great attraction. When Steve Doherty, who is Commander Doherty of the Great I,akes Station, received his invitation he ordered these two naval vessels which were at St. I^)uis to proceed to Shawneetown, and they came in about nine o’clock the morning of the fourteenth.We had a professional decorator to tend to that part. All the buildings on Main Street were artistically decorated, using the tri-colors with our own flag. As was also the historic places: Logan’s residents, thatframe house on the levee, back of the brick house across the street from Carrolls; the office up stairs in the Posey building where Ingersoll practiced law; the old open well at the Lintzenich house where Lafayette took a drink; and the tombs of Posey and Melvin. Placards were put up over town showing how to find all these places. The iron gates at Lowe’s house were the ones that I^afayette passed through, but they didn’t own them at the time. The store windows were filled with old relics and we were surprised how many historic documents, etc. could be gathered together. Mary Ruddick had the “land grant” given to Michael Sprinkle, the first w'hite settler. In Robinson’s window they had a Melodeon that was 117 years old belonging to Clara Reid; also their collection of Indian relics. In this window there were also an old chain over 100 years old now in the Bartley family; four or five cups now owned by Mrs. L. W. Gordon, being the same cups that I^afayette drank out of when here in 1825; a $5.00 bank note issued by the Bank of Illinois, which is our bank and as you know, the oldest in the State. George Wiederhold has his window filled with the Eddy and Marshall papers and relics.The morning Pageant was staged at the river, on the very site and reproduced in every detail, the landing and Reception of Lafayette as it happened one hundred years ago. The building, the Lafayette Hotel as it has always been called, was partially burned several years ago but rebuilt over the same plan with the exception of the roof, so part of it is the original building. As near as we could get them, the participants were descendents of those who were present at that time. First, I will give you a cast of the characters and their costumes. We were outfitted by a costume house in St. Louis, and we were assured that everything was ^orrect to the least detail and they Aere gorgeous in the extreme, w Lafayette - Hugh McKelligott -Suit: wine cloth coat very much like full dress, coat, many colored vest; trousers, light tan, long, buttoned tight at ankle, with strap under instep. All trousers were made alike -a tall hat of tan cloth, high stock with lace “jabot” and lace frills in sleeves.Lafayette’s son - Tom Peeples -wore gray Prince Albert coat, blue trousers, tall blue hat, lace at neck and sleeves.Gov. Coles of Illinois - Harry Howell - wore purple coat, fawn colored trousers, lace frills.Gov. Carroll of Tennessee - Marsh Wiseheart - wore green coat, fawn colored trousers, lace frills.Four military men - two were aides to Gov. Carroll and two the escort, sent by the Government -they were Dr. Holbrook, J.G. Gregg, Mort Peeples, and Jose Wiseheart. Their suits were beautiful, bright blue, covered with gold braid, epaulettes and carried side arms.The two French men from St. Louis (I won’t attempt to pronounce the names, let alone spell them), wereWm. A. Docker, then President of the Town Board - June Rowan. It was a coincidence, Mr. Rowan is the present mayor and 100 years age of his great-grandfather held the same office or position. His suit was bright tan with brocaded vest; large buckles on shoes. Some of the hats were black silk collapsible, others like the old stove pipe affairs.Judge James E. Hall - Chas. Roedel - delivered the address of welcome. He wore tan trousers, bright blue coat, brocade vest, lace at neck and sleeves.Moses M. Rawlings, Hotel keeper -J.P. Fitzgibbon. This outfit was bright green.Gen. Street the toast master -Tom Reid. The green suit was sent for him but he couldn’t get into it and Rawlings couldn’t wear his so they exchanged. His was dark coat and light trousers.The old French soldier was Jake Barger; he was dressed in rags You remember the part he played in the real history. While I^afayette was at the table he saw this old man peeping in at the window and recognized him as a soldier who had fought under him in France, and leaving the table he went out and brought him in and sat him down at his right hand. This little item even the Historical Society couldn’t give us. I had it in my essay you remember the one I wrote on “I^afayette’s Visit to Shawneetown” and that was authentic as I got it by word of mouth from Grandma Docker and Uncle Jo Barger.To go back to the “text.” Then there was the Committee of citizens that went to the boat. They were all in costumes of the period.The committee of women waiting to receive at the hotel consisted of Mrs. Hattie Rowan, Mrs. E^dith Ix)gsdon, Mrs. Drone, our Mrs. Fannie Wiseheart, Hattie Peeples, Myra Wiederhold, Mrs. Mallie Hick Land, Amy Eddy Lawler, Mabel Edwards Lewis, Helen Richeson Holbrook, Jessie Robinson Reid, Louise Wiederhold Mathis, Mary Ruddick, Lizzie Lowe Parsons, Nannie Howell, and myself. As you see, almost all were descendents from the old families - Nan, lizzie and I won our place because we were members of the general committee and we felt that we should have some of the honor as we had had all the work.Three of the costumes were dresses handed down in the families. Mrs. Hattie Rowan wore her wedding gown - bright blue satin and the scoop bonnet belonged to Grandmother Docker. She was a perfect picture, looked like a cameo; pink and white. Mabel Edwards and Mrs. Lizzie Wiseheart wore dresses, belonging to sisters, just one hundred years old. I think a McCaughtery married a Ruddick. They were in perfect condition. Mabel’s was brown taffeta trimmed in the quaintest black lace, the skirt swept the floor and was many yards around the bottom. She carried a real turkey-tail fan, even had the spurs on the handle. She wore a huge shell comb that belonged to the outfit Mrs. Wiseheart’s dress was black brocaded satin, trimmed in white lace, she had a lace scarf that went with it.The rest of our dresses came from the Costumer. They were made of heavy satin. The skirts were ankle length, about six yards wide, long pointed waists, low necks with that falling off effect on the shoulders, elbow sleeves with lace flounces on neck and sleeves. All were made pretty much alike, some had artificial flowers, some gilt braid, some lace flounces on skirts. Lizzie’s and mine were alike, bright green with pink roses. Jessie’s and Amy’s were alike, white with blue and green figures. Then there was one solid purple, one blue with red flowers, one brown, plain green, and all together we looked like an old fashioned garden of roses. The hair was dressed high, with curls and puffs. Most of us had wigs and the others copied those.The flower girls were high school girls, about eighteen in number. I think only three were descendents. Elizabeth Higgenbotham, Kathyrn Peeples, I^wrence’s youngest child and Elizabeth Lewis, Mabel’s oldest girl. They wore thin white dresses made with short waists and full skirts about shoe top length, round necks and short sleeves. They had bands of flowers on their heads and carried baskets of flowers.You couldn’t imagine a much prettier view than we had from the hotel that morning. The river smooth was glass, . parkling in the morning sun light. The .subchasers anchored in midstream opposite the wharf with the Kentucky shore as a background. As you remember the Lafayette Hotel is about the middle of that block a little south of the wharf. Calico was stretched from the hotel on the levee and on to e rocks, than a white path was painted over theconcrete to the water’s edge. It looked like a silver ribbon with the green on each side, this green happened to be sweet clover and enough was in bloom to scent the whole river front. The top of the levee in front of the house to the approach was roped off but the people lined the levee north and south as far as you could see and the river bank on each side of the trail was a sea of heads. All in their bright colored dresses made a beautiful setting.The party, which consisted of I^afayette, his son, Gov. Coles, Gov. Carroll, his two aides, the two Frenchmen from St. Ixniis and the two military men, the government escor-t, boarded the boat below town. The boat steamed up the river about ten thirty. As I^afayette stepped on the ground, with the others in position on the gangplank, the subchaser fired a salute of twenty-one guns. Charley asked Judge Cooke if he didn't think this was impressive. He said yes after he had picked himself up. He said he was so startled that he fell halfway down the levee when they fired the first shot but after that he enjoyed it. As the party stepped from the gangplank they were met by Moses Rawlings, Wm. A. Docker and a Committee of Citizens. The flower girls were lined on either side of the path. Then happened the little incident which is not recorded in history but is handed down as a real fact. As Mr. Docker stepped forward to be the first to welcome Lafayette, Mr. Rawlings knocked him aside and said “No d... Englishman shall be the first to greet Lafayette.”Then they took their line of march up the levee. The flower girls marched on each side strewing the path with roses. I^afayette walked alone with the military escort a little in advance on each side. Then came the son with Moses Rawlings, Gov. Coles with Mr. Docker. A member of the committee with each of the guests, the two Soldiers in the rear. They were met at the top of the levee by Judge Hall, General Street, and some of the citizens.The welcoming ceremony took place on the levee in front of the house. First Rawlings introduces Ixifayette to Gen. Street and he in turn introduces Judge Hall who delivers the address of welcome. This was truly a masterpiece of eloquence and Charlie did it full justice and looked the part too. This and the “Toasts” will be printed in full in the paper this week.During this part the ladies are grouped on the porch. Lafayette makes a short response and then the ladies are introduced. It took some time for them to pass down the receiving line making their low courtesies.A long narrow' table was spread on the porch (we fixed it that way so more could see) with the decanters and glasses. The party then passes in and stood at the table. Gen. Street acts as Toast Master and Judge Hall is at the other end of the table. They drink about twelve toasts (they used wine in those days bht it was grape juice today). Near the first I^afayette spies the old soldier peeping out from behind a tree and he goes out, greets him very affectionately and brings him to the table. After the toasts the party is escorted back to the boat, the ladies joining the crowd. All board the boat and go up stream.The State Historical Society sent camera men to make moving pictures of it. So some day we will see ourselves on the screen. They took movies and stills. They would stop the ceremony any place if they wanted a still, then after the boat came back, they had us come and pose for some of the scenes again. Not being satisfied they had us dress up again the next morning. They wanted the Bank and Posey building with the old times coming and going. One of the men was so taken with the old bus that he brought it into the pictured, having it drive up in front of the bank and one of the women get out and be greeted by others and the like. We worked all morning. I think movie life must be very strenuous.Taking it all together it was a great success. The State Historical Society was represented by Dr. Schmidt, the head of the society in the state. He is a very brilliant man, has charge of the Chicago Branch. Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, the secretary of the Springfield branch, Miss Osborne and the Speaker of the day, C.J. Doyle, all of Springfield. These people were more than pleased, said they did not expect us to put on anything near so elaborate. We felt in a measure repaid for the work. I think we might say that three men were responsible for its success. George Wiederhold, Frank Waller and Charlie.See Letter Page Fourteen175TH BIRTHDAY EDITIONTHE GALLATIN DEMOCRAT THE RIDGWAY NEWS SECTION TWO PAGE THIRTEENLAFAYETTE'S LANDING was again portrayed on July 5,1975, the 150th anniversary of his original visit to Shawneetown. Old Shawneetown was a beehive of activity for this gala celebration. This was also a part of Gallatin County’s observance of the Bicentennial.Among those participating in the event were Joe E. Logsdon III - I,afayette, Father John Stallings - Father Elisha Durbin, Steve Galt - John Marshall, Curtis Taylor - Henry Eddy, George Scherrer - Gen. Joseph Street, Rev. Philip Sorce - Major Walsh of St. Ixniis, Mo., Joe Wiseheart - Col. Shelby of Tennessee, Emmett Downen - Col. Irvin of Tennessee, Ray Hines - Col. O’Fallon of Missouri, Richard Febuary - Moses Rawlaings, Dayton Thomas - Gov. Coles of Illinois, Pat Scates Jr. - George Washington I^fayette (the general’s son), C.L. Clayton - William Docker, Tom Harmon - Judge James Hall, Pat Scates, Jr. - Gov. Carroll of Tennessee, William I^awler - August I^evasseur (Iafayette’s secretary), and Don Edwards - Thomas Dagley.Other participants included Mrs. Mary West - Mrs. John Marshall, Mrs. Joe E. Logsdon III - Mrs. Joseph Street, Mrs. J.T. I^wler - Mrs. Thomas Posey, Mrs George Guard - Mrs. Chalon Guard, Marge Bunker - Mrs. Benjamin Spillman, Mrs. H.M. Case - Mrs. Moses Rawlings, Mrs. Clarence Drone - Mrs. William Docker, Mr. and Mrs. Mora Moore - Mr. and Mrs. Leonard White, Mrs. Curtis Taylor - Mrs Henry Eddy, Mrs. Pat Scates, Sr. - Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Dorothy Epp - Mrs. Hannah Gold, Mrs. William I^wler - Mrs. William Posey.The second half of the celebration participants were Kristi Maloney - narrator, Shawneetown 4-H Club (Mrs. Connie Scates and Mrs. Charles Oldham leaders) - Indian dancers, John Smith - Tecumseh, Rev. Don Abell - Father Jacques Marquette, Bill Naas - Joliet, Dan Howard - oarsman, 4-H Club led by Marilyn Smith, Vicki Collins, Mrs. Jess Ann Logsdon - French dancers, Darlene I^wler - Madonna of the Trail, Mrs. Jane Harmon’s second grade class - Square dancers, Cedric Drone - Balladeer, Jane Harmon - song leader and soloist, and Monte Thompson, Mark Maloney, and Lucille Lawler - directors Guest speaker for the event was former State Representative Robert Winchester of Rosiclare.We Welcome One and All To Shawneetown's 175th Birthday CelebrationShawnee Chief MotelHighway 13, Center of City Shawneetown, Illinois Ph.618-269-3193Pravin Patel - Manager30 Comfortable Air Conditioned Rooms In Historic Shawneetown - Gateway to The Shawnee National Forest and Its Recreational Areas!
Newspaper Details
Shawneetown Gallatin Democrat
Shawneetown, Illinois, US
Thu, May 30, 1985
Page 25
Full Page
Clipped by
Evan W.
IL, USA 04 Jul 2024
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Shawneetown Gallatin Democrat
