A History of Whittington, Illinois; A History Project
By The Eighth Grade Class of Ewing North School, May, 1993
Abstracted by Gary Sweeten of Ina, Illinois

The old times in southern Illinois were rough but most people made as much as possible out of what little they had. My dad grew up in Whittington and I heard many of his stories of adventure, challenge and hardship. They show how resilient the Illinois pioneers became in the face of great stress.

William Winemiller, age 84, recalled some of his own experiences. “I was born on a farm, on which I now live, in Ewing Twp, March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our closest neighbors marched away to the south to fight for the Union and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of neighbors whose men-folk had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and many other things about the pioneer homes.”

“I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door, located on my father’s farm. I studied readin, ritin and rithmatic, the only subjects thought necessary at the time. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors and open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows.

My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlits, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.”

“We cleared the forests in winter that we might plant our crops in spring. Many brush piles were kept burning late at night by the men and boys while the woman sat on logs and stumps, busily knitting while visiting with neighbors. Little children played in the bright firelight.”

“Quite often old fashioned square-dances were staged. The ladies brought pies, mother made coffee and the merry making would continue until the roosters crowed for day.”

“In those days people walked a long distances. My dad, who lived in Whittington, walked daily to Rend City (Ten Miles) to load coal by hand then walked back home in the evening. They thought nothing of it even though it was through mud.”

“One time while making lye soap, Nicholas Cypher heard a woman scream. Momentarily he saw a large panther walk toward him but he had no weapon. Thinking quickly, Mr. Cypher threw lye water into the cat’s eyes and while the animal was trying desperately to claw it out Mr. Cypher beat him to death with a tree limb.”

“Many times during the depression grandpa Will went looking for hobos so he could invite them to eat with the family because he thought everyone should be able to have good food.”

Summary: “Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had.”

NOTE: Please read the preceding post and compare the two approaches to education and developing strong citizens.